Nuclear Power Industry News

Westinghouse Announces Involvement In New UK Ultra-Large Forging Press

steveheiser — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:55:00 GMT

This press will be one of only a handful in the world with the capability to produce the enormous "ultra-large" forgings, such as pressure vessel and steam generator components, which sit at the heart of modern nuclear power plants - By Linton Levy - Westinghouse Electric Company has announced its intention to become a leading participant in a major new manufacturing facility for nuclear components in the United Kingdom. Alongside UK Government and others, Westinghouse plans to make a substantial contribution to the proposed new 15,000-ton press to be built at the Sheffield Forgemasters plant in Sheffield, Yorkshire. ...(read more)

GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Hires New Global Government Relations Leader

steveheiser — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:54:00 GMT

Capitol Hill Veteran Ruth Ravitz Smith to Coordinate GEH’s U.S., Global Government Outreach - Edited by Stephen Heiser - GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) recently appointed Ruth Ravitz Smith as its senior vice president of global government relations. ...(read more)

NRC Proposes Improvements To Reactor Vessel Specifications

steveheiser — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:45:00 GMT

The proposal would increase the realism of calculations used to examine a PWR's susceptibility to a phenomenon known as pressurized thermal shock (PTS) - Source NRC - The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is proposing improvements to its rules regarding how pressurized water reactors (PWR) account for some effects of aging on their reactor vessels. ...(read more)

Idaho National Laboratory's User Facility Welcomes Three New Experiments

steveheiser — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:15:00 GMT

Three universities have been chosen to begin the next round of experiments at INL's Advanced Test Reactor National Scientific User Facility (ATR NSUF). The ATR NSUF grants free access so university-led research teams can use the ATR and other resources at INL and affiliated partner institutions - Edited by April Murelio - The number of universities conducting nuclear energy experiments in Idaho National Laboratory's one-of-a-kind research reactor has now reached an even dozen. ...(read more)

DOE Issues Requests For Applications For Nuclear-Related Science And Engineering Scholarships And Fellowships

steveheiser — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:06:00 GMT

“As we work to expand nuclear power in the United States to meet our climate and energy challenges, it’s critical that we have a skilled workforce who can lead in the future,” said Secretary Steven Chu. - Edited by Chris Smith - The Department of Energy today issued two Request for Applications (RFA) for scholarships and fellowships as part of its efforts to recruit and train the next generation of nuclear scientists and engineers. The Department’s Nuclear Energy University Programs (NEUP) will provide approximately $5 million for scholarships and fellowships for students enrolled in two-year, four-year and graduate engineering and science programs related to nuclear energy at accredited U.S. universities and colleges. ...(read more)

NNSA Congratulates Pantex For Earning STAR In Energy Department’s Voluntary Protection Program

steveheiser — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:43:00 GMT

Earning the STAR is just the beginning of the VPP process. B&W Pantex must maintain its already high standard for safe performance at the plant and demonstrate Management’s commitment to continuous improvement - By Stephen Heiser - The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has congratulated its Pantex Plant for earning STAR status in the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) – a program designed to recognize the outstanding performance of a DOE contractor’s safety program. ...(read more)

Entergy’s Louisiana Utilities Seek Permission To Preserve Option For New Nuclear Power Plants

steveheiser — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:56:00 GMT

The filing was made under the New Nuclear Incentive Rule established by the Louisiana Public Service Commission in 2007 to provide the LPSC regulatory oversight of new nuclear plant construction in the state - By April Murelio - Entergy Louisiana, LLC and Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, L.L.C. has submitted a filing to the Louisiana Public Service Commission asking for approval to continue the early development activities necessary for the future construction of a new nuclear plant (River Bend 3) at the River Bend site in St. Francisville, La. No decision has been made to build a new nuclear plant, and in the filing, the companies are not asking for approval to construct one. ...(read more)

USEC Reaches Major Milestone In American Centrifuge Program

steveheiser — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:50:00 GMT

Cascade of Production-Ready AC100 Machines Begins Operation. USEC expects to operate the machines at commercial plant conditions obtaining data on machine-to-machine interactions, system performance and plant design. - By Stephen Heiser - USEC Inc. has announced a major step in the American Centrifuge program with the operation of a cascade of AC100 centrifuge machines in a commercial-plant configuration in Piketon, Ohio. USEC refers to its production centrifuge machine design as the AC100 series centrifuge machine. ...(read more)

Short-Term Davis-Besse Delay Not Seen As Costly

steveheiser — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:45:00 GMT

Davis-Besse, which generates 908 megawatts of FirstEnergy's total output of 14,200 megawatts, was scheduled to be out of action now for routine maintenance. But testing revealed 13 of 52 nozzles of its control-rod mechanism showed cracks or fatigue, forcing an extended outage until they are repaired - Edited by April Murelio - According to a report in the Toledo Blade, If the repairs under way at FirstEnergy Corp.'s Davis-Besse nuclear power plant near Oak Harbor are completed before summer, it shouldn't affect the utility's bottom line. ...(read more)

The Human Side Of Nuclear Power Production

steveheiser — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:35:00 GMT

Conference on Human Resource Development to be Held in United Arab Emirates - By Sasha Henriques, IAEA Division of Public Information - Many countries have big plans for the introduction of nuclear power or the expansion of their current programmes in the near future. But do they have the right people with the right expertise to do the job? ...(read more)

Jaczko: “A Firm Foundation, A Strong Regulatory Future”

steveheiser — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:34:00 GMT

“A Firm Foundation, A Strong Regulatory Future” - Prepared Remarks for The Honorable Gregory B. Jaczko, Chairman, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, at the NRC Regulatory Information Conference - Source NRC - Good morning. I am pleased to address the 22nd Annual Regulatory Information Conference. The RIC is the largest annual gathering sponsored by the NRC. It brings together a broad range of participants – members of the international community; local, state, and federal officials, national laboratories, non-government organizations, industry, media; and – of course – the public. The RIC provides all of us with a unique opportunity to interact with – and learn from – colleagues with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We would not have this opportunity without the hard work of the staff who organize the RIC. ...(read more)

River Bend Station Shares Maintenance Expertise with Japanese Visitors

steveheiser — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:05:00 GMT

Group sought insights into River Bend’s successful online maintenance program - By Linton Levy - A group of Japanese utility experts interested in improving the performance of their country’s nuclear power fleet recently visited River Bend Station to learn about the plant’s online maintenance program. ...(read more)

Illinois State Senate Approves Bill To Allow New Nuclear Power Plants

steveheiser — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:50:00 GMT

Business and labor groups supported the legislation. Illinois has six operating nuclear plants with 11 reactors - By Stephen Heiser - The Illinois Senate has voted to drop 23-year-old ban on building nuclear power plants in Illinois. The measure was sent to the House on a bipartisan 40-1 vote, with two lawmakers voting present. ...(read more)

Under The Hood With Duncan Williams - High-Level Liquid Waste

steveheiser — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:49:00 GMT

High-Level Liquid Waste - By Duncan Williams - One of the most controversial topics regarding nuclear power is the issue of storing radioactive liquid waste. As a result of America’s decades-long processing of nuclear material, a fairly large amount of radioactive liquid waste has been generated and remains with us to this day. Some of this radioactive liquid waste is a result of once secret programs stemming back to the days of the Manhattan Project. ...(read more)

Nuclear Cooperation A Key Topic At USIBC High Technology Cooperation Group Summit

steveheiser — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:45:00 GMT

The U.S.-India High Technology Cooperation Group (HTCG) was conceived in November 2001 by President George W. Bush and then-Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Both countries agreed to take cooperative steps to create the requisite political, economic, and legal structures to enable successful high-technology commerce - By Linton Levy - The U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC) this week convened leading executives from U.S. and Indian industry, joined by top government officials, for the 7th Meeting of the U.S.-India High Technology Cooperation Group (HTCG). ...(read more)