A panel of vendors makes the case for it at the ANS winter meeting
It is the burden of all senior executives when serving on panel discussions at industry conferences to walk a fine line between being interesting and engaging with a skeptical audience on [...]
Rocky Barker has a comprehensive report in the Idaho Statesman (11/20/09) on the latest developments with AEHI's proposals to build a nuclear reactor in Idaho.Idaho Samizdat ~ http://djysrv.blogspot.com
[...] 
News media coverage and blog posts take different paths towards the same destination
At the American Nuclear Society winter meeting taking place in Washington, DC, this week, two sessions highlighted efforts to remove the veil of confusion on three critical issues affecting the public debate [...]
Sen. Alexander and Webb put their oars it the water, but NRC’s Jaczko says the nuclear industry is sinking its own ship
As dutiful attendees to industry conferences know, the first 45 minutes of a “plenary” session are often extra snooze time to make up for a [...]
#ANS09 hashtag on Twitter for live updates from American Nuclear Society, Washington DC. Nov 16-18Idaho Samizdat ~ http://djysrv.blogspot.com
[...] 
But world governments must open their wallets first
Guest Blog Post by Tamar Cerafici*
This is my last post from Sweden, as things heat up for the climate change conference next month in Copenhagen which is just across a narrow body of water (left) called the Kattegatt. [...]
Anti-nuclear groups claim the end of a fuel test is “huge setback” for the utility
A rapid-fire exchange of press releases this week Friday, Nov 13 made short order of a claim [press release] by Friends of the Earth (FOE) and the Union of [...]
Mobile live blogging for ANS winter meeting coverage now enabled. Tweet hash tag is. #ans09Idaho Samizdat ~ http://djysrv.blogspot.com
[...] 
MOX fuel loaded in Japan
Japan took another step to insure its energy independence this month when it began loading MOX (Mixed Oxide Fuel) at the Genkai #3 nuclear reactor owned and operated by Kyushu Electric Power Co (TYO:9508) It is [...]
Green groups chase uranium miners in Montrose County, Colorado
This blog posted is an edited version of a report published in Fuel Cycle Week, V8:N352 by International Nuclear Associates, Washington, DC
Want to know what comes with the territory running a uranium mine in [...]
Scientific American has some odd ideas about sustainable development and nuclear energy
Over at Brave New Climate Barry Brook and others have published reviews of an article published in the November issue of Scientific American magazine.
Brook writes that the November 2009 issue of Scientific [...]
Nuclear Becomes ‘A Real Business Opportunity’ For China and India
This is the full text of an interview with William Ramsay, (right) director of the energy program at the Institut Français des Relations Internationales.
He talked Nov 9 to NucNet about emerging nuclear markets in [...]
There’s a lot going on at the American Nuclear Society conference in Washington, DC, Nov 15-19 Wheels down at OMNI Shoreham hotel!
If you work in the nuclear energy industry, the “can’t miss” conference is ANS Winter Meeting & Nuclear Technology Expo. It will take place [...]
Worldwide utilities are adding to existing plants or planning new ones
U.K. investments in new reactors
A consortium composed of Spanish utility Iberdrola, GDF-Suez, and Scottish & Southern has purchased a 500 acre site for $114 million at the Sellafield nuclear site [...]
A new generation of nuclear power stations will be built to prevent an energy crisis
The award for decisiveness in energy policy this month goes to Ed Miliband, Energy & Climate Change Secretary (right) in the U.K. government who has committed the nation to “significant infrastructure [...]
CEO John Rowe tells WSJ focus is on earnings
Over at Atomic Insights Rod Adams has a long piece in which he tries to figure out what Exelon’s John Rowe is really doing about the nuclear renaissance. Adams has some strong opinions about where Rowe [...]
At TVA shrinking demand for electricity shifts strategy focus to the long term
The Watts Bar II unit in east Tennessee is the only nuclear reactor under construction in the U.S. According to TVA, it is on schedule and expected to be finished [...]
What if they held a sale and nobody came?
One of the arguments for having the government build nuclear reactors in Canada, via a ‘crown corporation,’ is that the private sector won’t have to take the risks given the enormous amounts of capital needed to [...]
Two leading senators sign on with Colorado Sen. Mark Udall
Colorado Senator Mark Udall, (right) has introduced a bill to authorize federal R&D for small, modular reactors. Udall said in a speech on the Senate floor he believes nuclear energy is an important part [...]
Twitter is not a substitute for blogging
Readers of this blog will note a few changes in recent weeks. I’ve been doing less “tweeting” and more in-depth reporting about the nuclear industry. While Tweeting is important for breaking nuclear news, it is not a substitute for blogging. [...]
Two units are being acquired from Russia and a domestic design is in the works
China’s massive drive to build 70 GWe of conventional light water reactors by 2020 will be augmented by an emerging effort to also build advanced “fast” sodium-cooled reactors (large [...]
Two of the state’s newspapers focus on the topic
An old journalistic tradition is that editors wait until Sunday for their biggest and most significant in-depth news stories and editorials. That tradition is alive and well in Idaho this weekend with a major feature story in the [...]
Rolls Royce plans new nuclear plants with EDF
Nuclear engineering firm Rolls Royce will enter into joint ventures with EDF to build four new Areva EPR nuclear power plants in the U.K. The firms have set a goal of having the first unit enter revenue [...]
Legendary author of the Whole Earth Catalog has a new book
A radio jingle asks the rhetorical question, “If you remember the 60s, you weren’t there,” which is an inside out joke on the reality altering nature of the decade. Stewart Brand became one of [...]
If a butterfly flaps its wings in Ohio, does it matter in Wyoming?
(Portions of this blog post also appeared in Fuel Cycle Week, V8:N349 10/21/09 published by International Nuclear Associates, Washington, DC)
The answer, it turns out, is yes, according to Wyoming [...]
Nor most of west Texas for that matter
Strong stuff is in this week from the staid OECD about nuclear energy and renewable energy. Also, Nuclear energy may be the solution to global warming, but someone has to pay for it writes Matt Wald, NYT reporter, in the December issue [...]
Pranksters create turmoil at National Press Club
The Washington Post reports that a press conference held at the National Press Club today (Oct 19) purporting to be a statement by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce reversing its position on climate change is a [...]
Just how smart do we have to be?
Energy Collective webinar will tackle this issue in a live webinar ~ October 28, 1 PM EST
Join a panel of experts as they discuss how to modernize the nation's transmission systems.
Register here - registration is' [...]
Blog action day points to progress at Copenhagen in December
Today, October 15, 2009, is blog action day focused on the issue of climate change. So far it involves 10,884 blogs, 13 million readers, and most of the nations of the world. As readers of [...]
Haunted by the goblins of the cold war, a Boise-based group is obsessed with a uranium enrichment plant
A relic with knee-jerk, anti-nuclear reflexes from the cold war has energized itself to oppose Areva's planned $2.4 billion "Eagle Rock" uranium enrichment plant in Idaho. The Boise-based' [...]
The Truth about Nuclear Energy -- to be told --
at the Denver Art Museum, 7 PM Thursday, October 22nd 2009
Is nuclear power a "Green" energy solution? Is it a viable option for mitigating climate change? Can small nuclear energy modules provide the [...]
Rep. Mike Simpson brings sustained funding for key nuclear energy R&D programs
Funding in the next federal government fiscal year (2010) for the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) will take a jump thanks to the legislative accomplishments of Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) (right). Simpson's district, which' [...]
Environmental and energy bloggers added
The blogsphere expands rapidly albeit not like galaxies at the speed of light in outer space though sometimes it feels that way. This week I made some additions and changes to the blog roll to organize a year's' [...]
Both commissioner seats are open
George Apostolakis is a professor of nuclear science at MIT and William Magwood is a former DOE nuclear energy official. The White House announced the nominations Friday, Oct 9, which is a "dead zone" for media coverage. Both appointments have been rumored for some time. [...]
Nuclear energy advocates can add their voice on the topic of climate change
Blog Action Day, Oct 15th, is an annual event that unites the world's bloggers in posting about the same issue on the same day on their own blogs with the aim of sparking discussion' [...]
An open invitation for dialog on new social media and nuclear energy
2nd Update - the event will take place at the OMNI Hotel, 2500 Calvert St., NW, which is the ANS conference hotel, in the Capitol Room at 6:30-8:00 PM, Tues Nov 17. The hotel is [...]
Powertech gets an "incomplete" from South Dakota on its Dewey-Burdock permit
This blog post is an edited version of coverage published in Fuel Cycle Week, V8N347 on 10/06/09 by International Nuclear Associates, Washington, DC
The State of South Dakota is not happy with [...]
Washington Capitals NHL team gets unprecedented sponsorship deal
Among the effects of global warming are signs of earlier than usual melting of ice on Canada’s ponds and lakes which support the nation’s obsession with hockey. It is winter rite of passage for the [...]
Siemens to sign off on Rosatom deal by December
Reuters reported Oct 1 that German industrial giant Siemens will seal the deal on its joint venture with Rosatom, the Russian state nuclear corporation, within the next two months. The move comes following the decision by Siemens [...]
By 2020 the government utility will generate 50% of its power from nuclear reactors
The fullest expression of the nuclear renaissance to date has been in 18 license applications to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) mostly by commercial utilities. In the middle of the pile, the [...]
A discussion forum for subscribers and visitors to the newspaper’s online edition
In late summer 2008 the online Wall Street Journal set up a series of community forums to take advantage of emerging social media.
Since September 2008, I’ve been hosting a discussion forum [...]
Social Democrats and green groups wanted to close them in favor of wind and solar power
Reuters reports Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives have won enough votes in Germany's election to form a center-right government with the Free Democrats (FDP). The anti-nuclear agenda of the lef-of-center [...]
The reason is it has the world’s third largest reserve of bauxite, the raw stuff of aluminum
When you think of small, developing nations, and nuclear energy, in the same firing of a synapse, what you get are small reactors. Once on the market, small [...]
Warren “Pete” Miller comes to Idaho Falls
DOE Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy Warren "Pete" Miller (right) was in Idaho Falls Sept 22 and told a news conference he is "pro-nuclear."
"Every interaction I've had in the (Obama) administration, at every level,'" [...]
Dale Klein says the agency must be clear about what it does and how it explains its decisions to the public
Dale Klein, a Commissioner at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and its former chairman under the previous administration, has two objectives for his [...]
DOE official says the Obama administration is “still thinking” about nuclear energy
[Update 09/23/09 below; Warren "Pete" Miller visits Idaho National Laboratory]It’s doubtful that a DOE official speaking with Dallas Morning News reporter Elizabeth Souder was intentionally trying to be funny as reported [...]
All comments are moderated and here's why
Governor goes pro-nuclear and so do the people who want his job
What is it about California that always twists what the rest of the country takes for reality into a pretzel? For more than three decades the state has banned the construction of new nuclear power [...]
It’s open to the public and includes real-time online access
Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff will hold a workshop at the agency headquarters in Rockville, Md., on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 8 and 9, to discuss generic issues regarding potential applications for so-called “small and medium-sized” nuclear [...]
This blog post includes edited content which also appeared in Fuel Cycle Week V8N344 09/16/09 published by International Nuclear Associates, Washington, DC.
Turmoil rocks Uranium Resources
It's been a tough month for Uranium Resources (NASDAQ:URRE). On September 4th CEO David Clark stepped down as' [...]
A nuclear engineer with an entrepreneurial spirit may do well with one
What’s of interest to a nuclear engineer who doesn’t want to get swallowed up in the bureaucracy of a mega utility is that small reactor projects are organized like Silicon Valley start-ups.
Venture capitalists are [...]
Partnership for Science & Technology joins social media
The Partnership for Science & Technology (PST), a non-profit, pro- nuclear group, launched its Facebook page this week. It is is a non-profit, public interest organization advocating for advancement of science, energy and technology. The organization [...]
Dramatic rescue announced at IAEA meeting
U.S. Department of Energy officials today know what it is like to be a hero like the Lone Ranger. With a shout, metaphorically speaking, of "hi yo Silver away!" heard halfway accross the globe, U.S. Department of [...]
Two countries could not be further apart on splitting the atom
On September 27th German voters will go to the polls and decide the fate of 17 nuclear power plants and 25% of its electricity supply. While Germans are making this fateful energy policy decision, Italy is [...]
Climate Legislation ~ What Will it Look Like?
Live Webcast September 30, 1 PM EST / 10 AM PST
To register click here ~ Registration and participation in the webinar is freeKey U.S. CEOs and world leaders are urging the Obama [...]
The future of Thorium as a nuclear fuel is on the agenda
A conference on the future of Thorium as a nuclear fuel will be held in Washington, DC, October 19-20. Advocates of the fuel and related reactor designs that can use it claim [...]
Eskom’s financial collapse “indefinitely postpones” construction of a pilot plant
The much ballyhooed Pebble Bed Reactor project is on the rocks. Speaking at the World Nuclear Association (WNA) on Sept 11th, PBMR CEO Jaco Kriek said construction of a prototype plant has been "indefinitely postponed" [...]
Major mainstream business papers assess the state of play and nuclear energy gets a place in the climate bill
In the digital age it is still important to see your industry get ink in major newspapers also known as “dead trees” media by cyber wizards [...]
First you see them now you don't
This blog post also appeared in an edited version in Fuel Cycle Week, V8N343, September 10, 2009, published by International Nuclear Associates, Washington, DC
Reuters wire service found itself in a double boomerange effect in its' [...]
IT firm in the nuclear industry is looking for someone who can work with an entrepreneurial start-up
Wiznucleus is a leading provider of knowledge management software solutions and services to the nuclear energy industry. The firm is seeking a VP of Sales & Marketing.
This [...]
China’s massive new build drives expansion at Japan Steel Works
According to a Sept 7 wire service report from Bloomberg News, China’s plans to expand its nuclear reactor fleet will cause Japan Steel Works (JSW) to increase its capacity from five to 12 nuclear reactor pressure [...]
New nuclear fuel contains 9.6% enriched uranium
Hat tip to Rod Adams at Atomic Insights
South Africa’s Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) company has manufactured high temperature reactor fuel spheres or “pebbles” containing 9.6% enriched uranium. Most commercial nuclear fuel is [...]
Social Media opens the “site” to better communication
Taking a page literally from the play book of Sec. of Energy Steven Chu, the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) has launched into the world of social media with a Facebook page.
The new [...]
When it comes to new nuclear reactors, Austin and San Antonio are remarkably far apart despite being in the same state
There are stark difference in the dialog in two key Texas cities over the role of nuclear energy in the future of electricity supply.
[...]
Areva books charges on project delays
(updated 09/02/09 with quotes from TVO via NucNet)
Areva and Finnish utility TVO are still feuding over the path forward to complete the 1,600 MW EPA which will become Olkilutoto #3.
In a statement Areva blamed “inadequate resources deployed by [...]
A few news items filter through the hazy days
Entergy revives plans for River Bend and Grand Gulf plants
Reuters reports that Entergy, the second largest U.S. nuclear utility, is reviving its option to build the River Bend nuclear power plant near St. Fancisville, LA. [...]
You know it don’t come easy
The NRC said Aug 12 Entergy’s Indian Point nuclear power station has no safety issues that would stop the agency from issuing a license for it to operate for another 20 years. The agency issued a Safety Evaluation Report (SER) that [...]
Anti-nuclear groups are vulnerable on the cost of replacing nuclear energy with fossil sources
A trade association in Vermont is throwing a blazing fast ball right down the slot at Vermont anti-nuclear groups. It is a hard edged appeal to businesses and consumers over [...]
South Texas Project get challenges about rates and costs
The headlong Texas land rush into a future robust with new nuclear reactors, at one time rivaling China in the number of planned new construction projects, could be slowing down. Elected officials and citizens groups in Texas are [...]
A major change produces renewed continuity and commitment
Readers of this blog, which is now well into its third year of operation, may have wondered whether the slow down in published content this month was just the case of being a summer slacker. This blog will [...]
Transition Power launches an effort to secure an Early Site Permit
Transition Power LLC, the illogically secretive and sometimes publically conflicted nuclear energy firm developing the Blue Castle nuclear reactor project, unveiled this week an effort to secure an Early Site [...]
Early Site Permits point to new hiring
The nuclear energy industry has two major growth sectors which should be commanding the attention of job seekers with backgrounds in mechanical, electrical, chemical, and nuclear engineering.
The sectors the ramping up of design and construction of [...]
Wall Street rating service takes a slap shot at utilities that want to build new reactors
Some parts of this blog post were also published in Fuel Cycle Week V8:N339 August 12, 2009, by International Nuclear Associates, Washington, DC
Publically traded firms love [...]
New Mexico asks Appeals Court for review of "Indian Country" decision
Some parts of this blog post were also published in Fuel Cycle Week V8:N339 August 12, 2009, by International Nuclear Associates, Washington, DC
The State of New Mexico has weighed in on the "Indian" [...]
American Nuclear Society public affairs specialist says the White House understands it is necessary
While some advocates for nuclear energy in the U.S. have tied its future to the development of climate change legislation, an astute participant in the process and observer of all things nuclear thinks this is not [...]
Safety issues, rates, and even profit sharing are in the mix
The toughest jobs in the nuclear industry right now have to be those of the managers of the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant. Green groups want to shut the plant down, state agencies want [...]
CEO says he’s looking at Idaho State Lands
Over at the Idaho Statesman, reporter Rocky Barker has a piece that indicates there is more confusion about plans by Alternative Energy Holdings Inc. (AEHI) (OTC:AEHI) for a new nuclear reactor at a site near [...]
Nuclear energy project still too expensive for Ankara
Russia turned up the heat on Turkey this week over the long running and complex negotiations to build four nuclear reactors for a total of 4,800 MW of electricity generation. None other than Russian Prime Minister [...]
BLM Utah State Office to review environmental assessment
Some of this content was also published in Fuel Cycle Week V8:N327 on 07/29/09 by International Nuclear Associates, Washington, DC
Two Utah environmental groups have temporarily gained the upper hand in a dispute over the quality of [...]
Wheels down Idaho FallsIdaho Samizdat ~ http://djysrv.blogspot.com
Wheels up in one day 4 ANSIdaho Samizdat ~ http://djysrv.blogspot.com
