Nuclear Power Industry News

Service agreement between AECL and CNSC signed MISSISSAUGA, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) have signed a service agreement to review the Enhanced CANDU 6(TM) (EC6(TM)) nuclear reactor. Under the service agreement, the CNSC will conduct a high-level review of the EC6 design based on the Regulator's expectations set out in Regulatory Document...

Aurora Flight Sciences announced that the company has been selected for a NASA Phase II award to develop technology to support autonomous control and protection of space-based nuclear reactor systems. - By Abby Gessner - Aurora will be developing an advanced reactor instrumentation and control system (RICS) for robotic and manned space vehicles and planetary surface systems. This new architecture...

Thorium Power the leading developer of non-proliferative nuclear fuel technology and provider of comprehensive advisory services for civil nuclear energy programs, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2009 . - By Stephen Heiser - Revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2009 was $2.9 million compared to $3.8 million for the first quarter of 2008. Revenues...

Scientists in Germany and India are reporting development of a new "smart" polymer that reduces the amount of radioactive waste produced during routine operation of nuclear reactors. - By Abby Gessner - The study, which details a first-of-its-kind discovery, has been published in the ACS' Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, a Bi-Weekly Journal. Borje Sellergren and colleagues...

ASME, in collaboration with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE-USA), has issued a proclamation outlining critical national energy priorities and programs for the Obama Administration and the U.S. Congress to consider in the next several years. - By Linton Levy - Twenty-one engineering societies, representing over one million engineers, have endorsed the “National...

Uranium Resources, Inc. announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2009, which ended March 31, 2009. - By Stephen Heiser – Revenue for the first quarter of 2009 was $1.4 million, a $4.3 million decrease compared with $5.7 million during the first quarter of 2008. Lower revenue was the result of the Company’s decision to wind down production as a result of lower market prices...

Switzerland's nuclear power plants are operating safely and securely with radiation levels in surrounding areas well below acceptable limits, federal inspectors said. - By Stephen Heiser – The country's five power plants all received "good" or "high" marks for operations in 2008, the two best ratings that the Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate can award. ...

Lisa Epifani to Advise Clients on Energy Policy, Renewable Fuels, Nuclear Energy, and Other Issues. - By Stephen Heiser - Van Ness Feldman is pleased to announce that Lisa Epifani has joined the firm’s Washington office as Of Counsel. Having spent the last decade in key governmental and private sector roles, she exemplifies Van Ness Feldman’s tradition of providing clients with substantive...

EDF to acquire controlling stake in SPE from Centrica - By Stephen Heiser - EDF Group ("EDF") and Centrica plc ("Centrica") announced today that they have reached a definitive agreement whereby Centrica will invest in EDF's nuclear business in the UK encompassing the current British Energy nuclear power station fleet and the development and construction of the next generation...

News reports from several sources in Japan point to cooperation between the two nations - By Linton Levy - According to an AFP report, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has told Japanese media his country expects to sign a nuclear power pact with Japan during his visit to Japan. In an interview with Japanese media in Moscow, Putin said he would also present a list of economic cooperation...

A low-key but growing and deliberate (re)turn to the development of thorium-based nuclear reactor fuel is underway globally By Jack Lifton of Thorium Energy A subtle but growing and deliberate (re)turn to the development of thorium-based nuclear reactor fuel is underway globally. The legislative branch of the United States government has now joined in promoting this project as it begins to look...

Kelliher Brings nuclear experience, unrivaled expertise, impeccable reputation to FPL - By Abby Gessner - FPL Group, Inc. has announced that Joseph T. Kelliher is joining the company to serve as Executive Vice President, Federal Regulatory Affairs, a newly created position overseeing all aspects of FPL Group federal energy regulatory policy. A longtime public servant, Kelliher comes to FPL...

Status Update For The Implementation Of NRC Regulatory Authority For Certain Naturally Occurring And Accelerator-Produced Radioactive Material Addressees - By Abby Gessner - All U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) material and fuel cycle licensees. All Radiation Control Program Directors and State Liaison Officers. The NRC is issuing this regulatory issue summary (RIS) to inform recipients...

The latest research from the IEE in Japan regarding the costs and benefits of nuclear power - Edited by Stephen Heiser - This White Paper by Kazutomo Irie of the Institute of Energy Economics in Japan details the economics of civil nuclear energy and explores the dynamics and drivers of the economic variables. The Paper is timely and features supplemental information and nascent economic research...

Constellation Energy’s Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station Recognized for Safety Program by Occupational Safety and Health Administration - By Abby Gessner - Constellation Energy announced that its Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station in Scriba, N.Y., has been recognized for its outstanding safety program by achieving STAR status under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Voluntary...

Enough Natural Resources for Sustainable Energy Production Can Be Produced in the US Says Thorium Energy - By Stephen Heiser - Thorium Energy, Inc. ( http://thoriumenergy.com ) announces that it can make the USA self-sufficient in the rare earth metals and thorium production required for alternative energy production. Jack Lifton, who writes about less common and rare metals published two...

Tokyo Electric Power Company, Inc. (TEPCO) has received an approval to restart 1,356 megawatt (MW) Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant. -Edited By April Murelio - The Governor of Niigata prefecture has approved trials to restart the 1,356 MW No.7 reactor at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant, in spite of a string of small fires at the plant since it was damaged in the quake. TEPCO officials...

The U.S. Department of Energy released a fiscal year 2010 budget request that increases funding for developing next-generation nuclear power plants and used nuclear fuel recycling, but does little to support construction of reactors that are expected to be built over the next two decades, according to The Nuclear Energy Institute. - By Stephen Heiser - The FY10 budget proposal -- the first released...

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has made available slides on its proposed Year 2010 Fiscal Budget. The slides will be used to brief the media. Full details of the $1.07 billion budget will be available at a later date. - By Linton Levy - Each year, the NRC publishes its Performance Budget (NUREG-1100). This publication describes the agency's programs in the performance plan, the budget...

Global Power Equipment Group Inc. announced John M. Matheson, President and CEO, is a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2009 Award in the Southwest Area region. - By Abby Gessner - According to Ernst & Young LLP, the awards program recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate extraordinary success in the areas of innovation, financial performance, and personal commitment...

Initial cascade of AC100 series machines being assembled and prepared for operations; USEC continues active discussions with Department of Energy regarding potential funding through Loan Guarantee Program; Value engineering work ongoing to reduce manufacturing cost and simplify design - By Abby Gessner - USEC has provided an update on its progress in building the American Centrifuge Plant in...

Anglo Canadian Uranium will bring southwestern U.S. uranium exploration properties and mill project to market as consolidated play - By Stephen Heiser - Anglo Canadian Uranium has announced that it has entered into an agreement to bring southwestern United States uranium exploration properties and a state of the art mill project to the market place as a consolidated uranium resource play. This...

FA3 Engineering Simulator configuration will operate on the same L-3 MAPPS technology and platform used by three other simulator configurations - By Linton Levy - L-3 MAPPS has received authorization from AREVA NP to proceed with the development of an engineering simulator based on the Flamanville 3 (FA3) EPR™ design. This is part of the continuing services L-3 MAPPS provides to AREVA’s...

USEC Reports First Quarter 2009 Results; Gross profit of $42.2 million tops 1st quarter of 2008 on 47% increase in revenue - By April Murelio - USEC Inc. has reported a net loss for its first quarter ended March 31, 2009, of $2.1 million or 2 cents per diluted share compared to net income of $4.4 million or 4 cents per diluted share for the same quarter in 2008. First quarter financial results...

According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, E.ON is interested in partnerships to build new nuclear power plants in France and Italy, Chief Executive Wulf Bernotat told shareholders at the company's annual general meeting. Bernotat later clarified that E.ON has held talks with EDF but added these discussions are at a very early stage. "There has been contact with potential partners...