July, 2009

31 Jul (NucNet): US utility Constellation Energy has said it is disappointed that a review of a proposed deal with Electricite de France (EDF) will be delayed.

31 Jul (NucNet): A ‘test loop’ has started up in the US to evaluate next-generation uranium enrichment technology.

30 Jul (NucNet): The incoming director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said there should be no “rush” into developing a multinational framework that guarantees stable supplies of nuclear fuel.

29 Jul (NucNet): US utility the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is set to start negotiations to procure mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel from MOX Services – a joint venture between the The Shaw Group of the US and France’s Areva group.

28 Jul (NucNet): The generic design assessment (GDA) process that could pave the way for construction of a new generation of nuclear power plants in the UK is on track for completion within the next two years.

28 Jul (NucNet): Procedures are under way leading to a return to commercial operation of Japan’s Kashiwazaki-Kariwa-7 – two years after the plant was hit by a major earthquake.

27 Jul (NucNet): The reactor pressure vessel (RPV) has been installed for unit 3 of Japan’s Shimane nuclear power plant in the south-west of the country.

27 Jul (NucNet): Construction has begun at the site of a heavy components manufacturing facility for nuclear power plants in the US state of Virginia.

27 Jul (NucNet): Low-level radioactive waste from Italy’s closed Caorso nuclear power plant is to be treated in Sweden.

24 Jul (NucNet): Details of how applications of plastic piping enhances operations and decreases the cost of maintaining water systems at two US nuclear power plants has been compiled in a video released by the country’s Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI...

24 Jul (NucNet): A total of 60 countries are now considering using nuclear power as part of their energy mix, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said.

21 Jul (NucNet): Two special inspections have been launched into unrelated issues at the single-unit US Waterford nuclear power plant in Louisiana and the B&W Nuclear Operations Group in Virginia.

9 Jul (NucNet): Italy’s upper house of parliament, the Senate, today approved a package of legislation that gives the green light for a return to the use of nuclear energy in the country.

9 Jul (NucNet): Sweden’s Ringhals nuclear power plant has been placed under special supervision until further notice by the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority in order to “improve safety culture” at the plant.

9 Jul (NucNet): A proposal to site a repository for low- and intermediate level radioactive waste (LILW) in Slovenia’s Krsko municipality has taken a key step forward.

9 Jul (NucNet): The Petten high-flux reactor (HFR) in the Netherlands will be taken out of operation later this month for a planned inspection, testing and preventive maintenance.

8 Jul (NucNet): The head of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has said his goals include further development of the regulatory structure in the area of materials security and a more formal oversight tool for radioactive materials licensees and...

8 Jul (NucNet): France’s nuclear safety authority has said there are no generic issues that would prevent the country’s 900-megawatt (MW) design pressurised water reactor (PWR) units operating up to 40 years.

7 Jul (NucNet): Belgium and Romania will sign agreements covering several nuclear-related areas of research including reactor safety, radwaste management and fourth generation reactor technologies.

7 Jul (NucNet): Engineering and procurement contracts are to be negotiated for the proposed construction of two additional reactor units at the US Comanche Peak nuclear power plant in Texas.

3 Jul (NucNet): Bruce Power of Canada is to install predictive-analytic software in all key systems and components at its Bruce A and Bruce B nuclear power plants in Ontario.

3 Jul (NucNet): Japan’s ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Yukiya Amano has been selected as the agency’s next director-general.

3 Jul (NucNet): NucNet has appointed a new journalist/researcher based at its central office in Brussels.

1 Jul (NucNet): Jack Allen has been appointed president and chief executive officer of the newly-formed Westinghouse Electric Japan.

1 Jul (NucNet): German chancellor Angela Merkel was among dignitaries attending celebrations in Berlin today to mark the 50th anniversary of the German Atomic Forum (DAtF).