November 2005

Nuclear Energy Update
November 7 - November 11, 2005

Welcome to Nuclear Energy Update. This is a weekly update compiled by The Eisenhower Institute of the most significant news items in international, domestic, and scientific nuclear energy news.

 

International

Iran Begins New Nuclear Project
With the international community already wary of Iran's nuclear endeavors, Iranian officials announced it will soon begin new nuclear fuel work and is looking for investors for uranium enrichment activities. Despite pleas from the US and Europe to halt nuclear activities, Iran plans to convert a fresh batch of uranium ore in the coming weeks. Iran seems determined to keep its nuclear program alive regardless of the fact that in three weeks, the country could potentially be sent to the UN Security Council by countries concerned Iran is developing nuclear weapons. Iran has insisted that all nuclear activities within the country are solely to support a civilian nuclear program, but many countries doubt this claim. "We will never abandon our right to the nuclear fuel cycle," foreign ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said Sunday. The next meeting of the IAEA will be held November 24th.
(AFP, http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20051106/ts_afp/irannuclear_051106125418, 11/6/05)

Elbaradei Criticizes Disarmament Progress
During a conference on Monday, Mohammed ElBaradei, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said nuclear powers were reducing their arsenals too slowly, "creating an environment of cynicism among the non-nuclear weapons states." Winner of this year's Nobel Peace Prize, ElBaradei spoke at the annual non-proliferation conference sponsored by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. ElBaradei continued his speech with criticism of the IAEA for not having a mechanism to monitor compliance with nuclear disarmament commitments. "For the IAEA to be fully effective, the national governments we serve must provide a level of support commensurate with the challenges we face," he said. Russia and the United States possess the majority of nuclear weapons, but France, China, India, Britain and Pakistan admittedly have their own cache of nuclear weapons as well. Under the 1970 nuclear non-proliferation treaty, all but Pakistan and India agreed to completely disarm eventually.
(YahooNews, http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20051107/wl_nm/arms_nuclear_dc_3,
11/7/05)

Kazakh Disarmament Project Praised
Resounding praise of the $2 million joint project between Kazakhstan and the US to eliminate Kazakh nuclear fuel was heard Saturday after officials were allowed to tour the Ulba Metal Plant. During the Cold War, Kazakhstan housed the world's fourth largest nuclear arsenal, including 1,410 nuclear warheads. The arsenal was moved to Russia in 1995, but Kazakhstan was left with tons of weapons-grade nuclear material that could easily be use to create atomic bombs. By the end of this year, 6,400 pounds of nuclear fuel will be blended down so it cannot be used to make weapons. This project is considered a moderate victory for efforts to eliminate nuclear materials that could potentially fall into the hands of terrorists. The Nuclear Threat Initiative, a Washington nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing the threat of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons, shared the costs of the project with the Kazakh nuclear industry.
(The Augusta Chronicle, http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/297040/officials_applaud_nuclear_project/index.html?source=r_science, 11/7/05)

South Korea Reaches Out for Asian Nuclear Cooperation
South Korea's science minister will set out on a nine-day tour of China, Vietnam and Malysia this week with plans to promote greater nuclear technology cooperation among the countries. Science Minister Oh Myung plans to meet with government officials and academics in the three countries to pitch South Korea's new market access plan. Myung is also expected to ask Chinese officials to allow South Korea to join China's future power plant construction projects. China has previously announced it is looking for a partner to build a new nuclear research reactor in 2006, and two commercial reactors by 2017. After its first nuclear plant began running in the 1970s, South Korea has become technologically self-sufficient. It currently has 20 reactors that provide 40 percent of the country's electricity.
(Asia Pulse, http://au.biz.yahoo.com//051107/17/cpky.html, 11/7/05)

Japan Appoints Head of ITER
Japan named Kename Ikeda, a nuclear engineer turned ambassador, to head the international project to build an experimental nuclear fusion reactor in France. Ikeda, Japan's Ambassador to Croatia, will become the director general of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) organization in 2007 when the project is slated to be launched. A group of high-ranking officials from the project's participating countries made the decision Monday in Vienna. The Six ITER partners are the US, Japan, Russia, the European Union, South Korea, and China. The 30-year project will be centered in Cadarache, southern France, despite years of pressure from Japan to have the project built in its northern Aomori prefecture. In return for allowing the reactor to be built in France, Japan was given 20 percent of staff posts, including the director general's job. Ikeda has been Japan's ambassador to Croatia since 2003 and previously headed a Japanese nuclear safety office.
(AFP, http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20051108/tc_afp/itce_051108051850, 11/8/05)

Philippines May Consider Nuclear Power
The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) is preparing a paper that will cite the possibility of beginning a nuclear energy program in the Philippines. The PNRI has become concerned with the long-term environmental effects of using coal and carbon-based oil in power plants. The paper will suggest using nuclear technology as one of the country's power sources. PNRI Director Alumanda dela Rosa said the paper may not be used for immediate lobbying but will at least update the Philippine Department of Energy on new breakthroughs in nuclear technology. PNRI, originally the Philippine Atomic Energy Commission, was one of the original advocates of the disused Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.
(Villafania, Alexander, http://news.inq7.net/infotech/index.php?index=1&story_id=55897, 11/08/05)

Iran Warns of ‘Consequences'
Iran warned that any move to refer the country to the United Nations Security Council would result in "unpredictable consequences" for other countries. In September, Britain, Germany and France drafted a resolution that questioned Iran's nuclear program and suggested referral to the Security Council. Iranian representative Mehdi Akhondzadeh told an audience at a seminar in Finland that the European-sponsored resolution to the International Atomic Energy Agency has "jeopardized the positive atmosphere existing between both parties." At the same time, Akhondzadeh stressed Iran's willingness for further negotiations, "Iran on numerous occasions has announced its readiness for the negotiations with a view to avoid confrontation, which could result in a lose-lose game." Russia and China have continually supported Iran's nuclear program, asking other countries not to resort to a Security Council referral. However, British representative Peter Jenkins maintains that Iran has not done enough to prove its goodwill and soon his country's patience will run out.
(AFP, http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20051109/wl_mideast_afp/irannucleareuusiaea_051109151013, 11/9/05)

Greenpeace Protests Hungary's Plan to Continue Nuclear Plant Operations
Reacting to Hungary's plan to extend the life of its only nuclear power plant, Greenpeace members protested on the steps of parliament in Budapest on Tuesday. The group is upset that the parliamentary resolution to postpone the date of the plant's decommission will be voted on before environmental studies are completed. The plant's oldest reactor opened in 1982 and will be decommissioned in 2012 if the 20-year extension is not approved. The four reactors supply 40 percent of Hungary's electricity. Officials have referred to the plant as irreplaceable and believe operating conditions are safe. The environmental impact studies will not be completed until 2007, however the parliamentary vote is expected by the end of the month. The 16 Greenpeace activists dressed in yellow jumpsuits were detained by police.
(AP, http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=9204, 11/9/05)

Rice Denies Report in New York Times
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice denied a report by the New York Times that the US and other European leaders were allowing Iran to pursue its nuclear activities. The Times reported on Thursday that Iran would be allowed to conduct limited nuclear projects on its soil, but would have to move all uranium enrichment activities to Russia. "There is no US-European proposal to the Iranians. I want to say that categorically," said Rice later Thursday. Rice and UN nuclear watchdog leader Mohammed ElBaradei met on Tuesday to discuss the situation in Iran, but did not create a proposal.
(Reuters, http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20051110/ts_nm/nuclear_iran_dc_12, 11/10/05)

Talks with North Korea Reopen
Delegates from six nations met for the fifth round of talks aimed at disarming North Korea on Wednesday. China's chief negotiator, Deputy Foreign Minister Wu Dawei, began the meeting with a plea for all participants to be flexible so that a plan could be executed as soon as possible. However, the North Korean official immediately referred to a recent comment made by President Bush while on his Latin American tour as a "blatant violation" of their September agreement to resume normal diplomacy. Bush referred to North Korea as a tyrant in one of his speeches. It has been two years since China, Russia, the US, Japan, South and North Korea began negotiating North Korea's nuclear program. Last month, North Korea agreed to start disarmament if in return it received energy aid. Since this agreement, though, North Korea has demanded it receive a light-water nuclear reactor.
(Pan, Philip P., http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/08/AR2005110801890.html, 11/9/05)

 

 

Domestic

 

Tests at Connecticut Yankee Power Plant
A nuclear inspector conducted tests on soil and concrete Monday morning at the decommissioned Connecticut Yankee nuclear power plant after a leak was detected a week ago. Although there are 40 test wells in the entire plant site, only one has shown signs of a leak. According to officials, water in the parts of nearby Haddam Neck has not been affected. An inspector with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission secured samples of concrete and soil from the spent fuel pool building, and tests will be conducted at an independent testing site. Residents in the area who have long feared a radioactive leak from the plant will have to wait for an undisclosed time period before test results are released.
(NBC, http://www.nbc30.com/news/5269451/detail.html?rss=har&psp=news,
11/7/05)

Senate Cuts Spending on Spent Fuel Repository
The future looks bleak for the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump after lawmakers agreed to cut 2006 spending significantly below that of previous years. At the same time legislators ditched a House plan to supplement Yucca with temporary storage sites for nuclear waste. This was all decided under the $30.5 billion bill to fund energy and water projects. $450 million will be spent in 2006 on Yucca Mountain, which is far less than the $577 million spent each of the past two years, and the $650 million requested by Bush for the coming year. Lawmakers and aides say delays on the project kept the number low. The dump is at least two years behind schedule at this point, with the planned opening date tentatively set for 2012. Reacting to the decision, Energy Department spokesman Craig Stevens said, "While this funding decision may force us to go at a slower pace, it will not deter us from our principles of using sound science to develop a high-quality license application and a disposal facility that is safe and reliable to operate."
(AP, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9969987/, 11/8/05)

 

 

 

Op-Ed

 

 

Op-Ed: A Nuclear Test
In its recent editorial, the Los Angeles Times examined the agreement forged between India and the United States to share nuclear technology. The United States has long held policy not to share nuclear technology with nations that have not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. But, despite India's failure to sign this treaty, the US decided to allow India information in exchange for stronger nuclear safeguards and the allowance of international inspections. Legislators have recently pointed out that this may undermine nonproliferation progress. "Helping India expand its civilian nuclear power program...penalizes other nations that agreed to sign treaties, and to submit to International Atomic Energy Agency inspection, in exchange for receiving nuclear supplies." In order for this agreement to go through, however, legislators will need to amend a 1978 law forbidding nuclear energy assistance to nuclear weapon states, which this editorial feels is unnecessary. "The administration has yet to provide a convincing argument for lawmakers to take that step."
(LA Times, http://www.latimes.com/.story?coll=la-news-comment-editorials, 11/8/05)

 

Credits

Compiled and Edited by: Chad Kreikemeier and Brita Ericson

 

Nuclear Energy Update
November 14 - November 18, 2005

Welcome to Nuclear Energy Update. This is a weekly update compiled by The Eisenhower Institute of the most significant news items in international, domestic, and scientific nuclear energy news.

 

International

Iran Won't Allow Russia to Enrich Its Uranium
Iran rejected a compromise agreement which would have allowed them to maintain their civilian nuclear energy industry as long as uranium enrichment would have been conducted outside the country's borders. Though the specific details were not publicly revealed, Russia had reportedly offered to enrich Iranian uranium on Russian soil. The EU and the United States were considering the proposal, before Iran announced that it would not accept the compromise. "Enrichment should be carried out on Iranian soil, as other Iranian officials have said before," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asfi.
(Yahoo News, http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20051113/wl_mideast_afp/irannuclearpolitics_051113184011, 11/13/05).

Nuclear Companies Rush to Engage Indian Market
American, Russian, and French nuclear companies have rushed to approach India's power manufacturing giant Bharat Heavy Electriclas Limited (BHEL) in order to cash in on the recent decision by the US to lift the ban on nuclear fuel and equipment to India. Indian authorities are suggesting that they will allow BHEL to link up with one of the companies from the developed world. They are reportedly talking to four companies, the names of which have not yet been released. Not only would these companies be bidding on new upcoming projects, but they would also be allowed to upgrade India's current equipment and infrastructure.
(PTI, http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=334920, 11/15/05).

South African Nuclear Firm Awards Huge Contract
The Pebble Bed Modular Reactor firm, a South African nuclear energy corporation, has awarded a $20 million rand contract to SLMR, a joint venture Canadian-South African corporation for the construction of a PBMR Demonstration Power Plant in the Western Cape, South Africa. The construction agreement, together with a Memorandum of Understanding, helps bring Phase I of the companies' cooperation to a close. Phase II is expected to be signed in 2006 with the construction completed in 2007. The Pebble Bed design uses silicon carbide coated particles of enriched uranium which form a fuel sphere. An inert gas is used as the coolant and energy transfer medium, making its design inherently safe and fire-proof.
(Preuss, Helmo. http://business.iafrica.com/company/560845.htm, 11/15/05).

Russia Removes its Atomic Agency Chief
Alexander Rumyantsev, who served as the Russian Federation's Agency for Atomic Energy (Rosatom) chief for four years, has been removed from his position in a Putin-inspired political shake-up. In his place, Putin appointed former Russian Prime Minister Sergei Kiriyenko. Kiriyenko's ascendance comes as a complete surprise to many at Rosatom. Kiriyenko has no experience in the nuclear industry, according to sources. Rumyantsev has been reportedly transferred to a diplomatic post.
(Digges, Charles. http://www.bellona.no/en/international/russia/waste-mngment/40781.html, 11/15/05).

EU Examining the Decommissioning of its Nuclear Plants
The EU Commission has reported that 50 to 60 of Europe's 155 nuclear reactors will need to be decommissioned by the year 2025. EU members differ widely on how that is to be accomplished. The EU Commission is looking to submit a non-binding recommendation to EU members as to how this project should be undertaken. The Parliament considers it absolutely necessary that each of these projects have sufficient funding resources. The Commission sent a letter last year asking each of the 14 member states with nuclear plants to specifically detail how they plan on decommissioning their plants.
(European Parliament, http://www.noticias.info/asp/aspComunicados.asp?nid=118923&src=0, 11/16/05).

Terrorists Target Australian Nuclear Plant
Australian authorities arrested eight men this week for allegedly planning a bomb attack against Sydney's nuclear reactor. The men had reportedly been prodded by their Islamic spiritual leader who told them to inflict "maximum damage" on the country. The men had bought chemicals and materials similar to the ones used in the recent London bombings, such as steel drums, batteries, plastic piping, and circuit kits. Three of the men had been stopped last year near Sydney's Lucas Heights nuclear reactor. That incident landed them as "targets" of the Sydney authorities.
(International Herald Tribune, http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/11/14/asia/web.1114sydney.php, 11/18/05).

Iran Received Black Market Nuclear Instructions
Iran has announced to the International Atomic Energy Agency that it obtained instructions on how to enrich uranium from AQ Khan's black market network. The Iranians have been praised for the IAEA for its disclosure, but the UN nuclear agency suggests that more transparency is "indispensable and overdue." The Iranians purport that they received the document which details uranium enrichment without asking for it, and that they have done nothing with it since receiving it.
(MSNBC, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10095684/from/RSS/, 11/18/05).

 

 

 

Domestic

 

Senate Cuts Funds for Yucca Mountain
In the final attempts to cut funds from the energy and water programs budget for FY06, the Senate voted 84-4 to cut funding to the Yucca Mountain spent fuel repository. The Senate voted to appropriate $127 million less than last year for the program. The new budget, which now allocates $450 million to Yucca Mountain, is being rushed through the Congress as lawmakers work furiously to get their 11 spending bills passed before the end of the year.
(Taylor, Andrew. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051114/ap_on_go_co/congress_spending_1, 11/14/05).

Additional Nuclear Budget Issues
In addition to the Yucca Mountain allocation, several other measures had significant repercussions for the nuclear industry. The bill passed by the Senate will provide $220 million to build a plant in South Carolina, which would help convert plutonium into a mix-oxide fuel for commercial use. Also, the bill provides $130 million for the Department of Energy to research fuel cycle initiatives, including examining the feasibility of spent fuel reprocessing. Reprocessing has not been undertaken by the US domestic community since the 70's because of proliferation concerns.
(Taylor, Andrew. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051114/ap_on_go_co/congress_spending_1, 11/14/05).

Safety Concerns for Nuclear Power Boost
In light of dramatically increasing oil and natural gas prices, Vermont officials are looking into increasing the output by the state's Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant by 20%; however, officials claim that they cannot maintain the same safety margins with a boost in power outage. Engineering professor Graham Wallis testified this week that higher production would reduce safety margins, but would still be well within federal safety standards. "You haven't maintained the margin," said Wallis, "but you haven't crossed the limit." Further independent study is being conducted.
(The Boston Globe, http://www.boston.com/news/local/vermont/_could_reduce_safety_margins/, 11/16/05).

Utah Governor Tries to Doom Spent Fuel Site
Utah Governor Jon Huntsman is in Washington, DC this week in order to meet with Utah's congressional delegation in the hopes of blocking shipments of radioactive material to a nuclear waste site in Utah. The Utah proposal is to create a wilderness area in the state as a barrier to the shipment of the spent fuel. Utah lawmakers are hoping to include the plan in the Defense Appropriations bill. Huntsman is also meeting with Senator John McCain of Arizona and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid later this week.
(Gehrke, Robert.http://www.sltrib.com/ci_3229620?rss, 11/18/2005).

 

 

 

Op-Ed

 

 

Op-Ed: Put Aside Fears; Seize Its Potential
Senate majority leader, Bill Frist, recently wrote an op-ed in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution which touts nuclear energy as a necessary ingredient of our energy security. He suggests that nuclear energy provides a "cost-effective way of reducing our dangerous dependence on foreign oil." He adds that it is time to "end the country's long nuclear energy drought." Looking to our looming energy crisis, Frist argues that a "burdensome regulatory process" has prevented the construction of nuclear plants for the past thirty years. He purports that nuclear energy has shown an "exemplary safety record" and is a green alternative to carbon-producing processes. He warns Americans against unfounded fears of nuclear energy and suggests that the US can "no longer afford to ignore such a promising source of energy."
(Frist, Bill. http://www.ajc.com/opinion/content/opinion/1105/14edfrist.html, 11/14/05).

 

 

 

Credits

Compiled and Edited by: Chad Kreikemeier and Brita Ericson

 

Nuclear Energy Update
November 21 - December 2, 2005


Welcome to Nuclear Energy Update. This is a weekly update compiled by The Eisenhower Institute of the most significant news items in international, domestic, and scientific nuclear energy news.

 

International

Economic Questions Still Hound Nuclear Supporters
A recent report by the BBC delves into the debate over whether or not nuclear power is an economical alternative to coal and natural gas. Critics, according to the article, argue that the costs of nuclear power generation are currently being hidden in the current renewed battle over nuclear energy. Everyone, academics, industrial officials, and power firms alike, are reticent to put an exact price on how much it will cost because of the difficulty in measuring these costs. Most academics measure electricity output in terms of price per kilowatt hour. A recent controversial report from Great Britain argues that nuclear power operates at a cost of 2.26 pence per kWh while gas and coal-fired stations operate at 3.3 kWh and above. Questions about capital costs, fuel procurement and enrichment costs, and various other hidden, obscure costs continue to complicate the debate.
(Richardson, Ben. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4457210.stm, 11/23/05).

Hungary Wins Safe Operation Nuclear Award
The World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) has praised Hungary for its safety record at a nuclear power plant in Paks, Hungary. Eighteen experts from ten countries inspected the plant in November and have guaranteed the nuclear power plant's safe operation. The plant's operation has been extended twenty years by recent Hungarian legislation. The Hungarian parliament also passed a law which would create a permanent nuclear spent fuel disposal site nearby.
(Xinhua, http://www.redorbit.com/news/nuclear_power_plant/index.html?source=r_science#, 11/25/05).

British Environmental Secretary Embraces Nuclear Power
According to sources, British Environmental Secretary Margaret Becker said that she would reluctantly accept the construction of new nuclear power plants, though it could not happen at the expense of investment in renewable resources. She argues that nuclear power does not "meet the definition of sustainability," but that over the short term, nuclear power might be a necessary consideration.
(BBC News, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4476058.stm, 11/27/05).

Chavez Wants Nuclear Energy for Venezuela
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez recently brought attention to his oil-rich country when he announced plans to start a nuclear energy program with the assistance of Brazil and Argentina. Many, including Washington, are leery of such moves by Venezuela, which has recently been a thorn in the side of the United States. Some suggest that Chavez would use civilian nuclear energy as a cover for a nuclear weapons program. Venezuela has scoffed at those assertions. In early November, Venezuela's ambassador to the US mentioned that "Latin America is completely respectful of nonproliferation treaties, but that doesn't mean that nuclear energy cannot be pursued, just as it is in Europe and elsewhere."
(Rohter, Larry. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/27/international/americas/27venezuela.html, 11/27/05).

Key Congressman Supports Indian Nuclear Bid
A key United States Congressman on the Foreign Relations Committee, Representative Dan Burton (R, IN), might back the new US-Indian nuclear energy cooperation proposal, according to the Press Trust of India. Burton is considered important because he has been an outspoken critic of Indian policies in Kashmir over the last several years. "I am leaning towards the nuclear agreement," says Burton. He stipulated that he has some reservations but that he might agree if there was a definite separation between civilian and military nuclear components of their program.
(Yahoo News, http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20051128/pl_afp/indiausnuclear_051128132006, 11/28/05).

Australia Looking Into Nuclear Power
Australia, which maintains its status as a nuclear-free country, is reportedly looking to build a case for the revival of nuclear power inside its borders. According to reports, Australian Science Minister Dr. Benjamin Nelson has initiated an inquiry into the prospects of nuclear energy in the country. "I think we owe it to our future to examine all of our options," says Dr. Nelson. Australia, which currently provides nearly 30% of the world's uranium for nuclear power plants, is expected to examine the geological, environmental, physical, and social aspects of nuclear power in Australia in its new inquiry. It is expected to cost less than $1 million.
(Uren, David. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common^2702,00.html, 11/28/05).

Tony Blair Announces Pro-Nuclear Results of Review
British Prime Minister Tony Blair this week announced the results of a wholesale review of the country's energy needs, particularly in regards to the possibility of building new nuclear power stations. Blair suggested that a combination of both nuclear and renewable resources will be needed to overcome its growing energy needs. Blair's speech was delayed for an hour as two Greenpeace protestors scaled the roof where Blair was scheduled to speak. Blair thinks that action on energy supply issues is needed because of rising prices and worries about climate change.
(Yahoo News, http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20051129/wl_afp/britainenergynuclear_051129183658 11/29/05).

Polls Suggest Swedes Don't Want to Rush Nuclear Phase-Out
A recent Swedish poll suggests that a majority of Swedes do not want to shut down any nuclear power stations earlier than their operational lifespan. The last shut-down occurred on June 1st of this year and was the second reactor to be taken off line as part of a plan to phase-out nuclear power within the next thirty years. Nearly 65 percent of those questioned did not want any nuclear plants shut down early. Also in the survey, 24 percent suggested that they want more stations to be built to cover those being shut down and 15 percent wanted more nuclear power plants in the future than they have right now.
(Yahoo News, http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20051129/sc_afp/swedenenergynuclear_051129134418, 11/29/05).

South Asia Looks to Nuclear Power
Indonesia and Vietnam are reportedly looking to nuclear energy in order to help alleviate the pressures from rising energy demands and the rising costs of oil and natural gas. The two countries have plans in motion for the construction of new nuclear plants, the first in Southeast Asia. Vietnam has been particularly susceptible to energy issues due to the lagging development of its electricity infrastructure. Vietnam expects to construct its first power plant by 2020 at a cost of around $3.4 billion. According to sources, Japan, South Korea, France, Russia, and China are all willing to assist Vietnam in this endeavor.
(WP Hearald, http://www.wpherald.com/storyview.php?StoryID=20051129-043843-3095r, 11/29/05).

 

 

 

Domestic

 

Judge Rules on California Nuclear Plant
An administrative judge has reportedly made it very difficult to extend the lifespan of one of Southern California's nuclear power plants, says Southern California Edison, a major electricity utility. The judge has capped a project designed to lengthen the life of the nuclear plant at $680 million, the expected cost as estimated by the company. Unfortunately for the plant, which serves nearly two million Californians, this means that they cannot exceed the cap for any unexpected reasons. SC Edison will possibly put the brakes on the project if they can't overturn the judge's decision. Finishing the project would allow the plant to remain open until 2023.
(Klawonn, Adam. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20051124-9999-1mi24onofre.html, 11/24/05).

Wisconsin Plant Back On Line
A Wisconsin plant has been put back on line after a nearly two month shut-down due to maintenance and refueling. The reactor was shut down on September 24th in order to replace the reactor cover. All three reactors in Wisconsin have now replaced the reactor covers in response to a problem detected at an Ohio plant in 2004. The process cost nearly $20 million.
(Content, Thomas. http://www.jsonline.com/bym/news/nov05/373329.asp, 11/25/05).

General Motors Might Invest in South Carolina Hydrogen Project
Recently, the Savannah River Site in South Carolina was rejected as the possible site for one of two new nuclear reactors. A small research reactor would have also been built at the site. The reactor would have been dedicated to generating hydrogen cleanly to form power cells for future hydrogen systems. Though the site was passed over, The State newspaper believes that there have been some positive movements in establishing the state as a leader in hydrogen technology research. General Motors has been taking an interest in hydrogen research. The company is reportedly looking into a possible investment to South Carolina's Savannah River National Laboratory. Nuclear energy is one way to produce hydrogen relatively cleanly and cheaply.
(The State, http://www.thestate.com/mld/state/news/opinion/12879031.htm, 11/26/05).

Utah Rejects Nuclear Power
Utah state legislators have reportedly rejected an amendment that would have supported the development of nuclear power in the state. Representative Bradley Daw offered an amendment to a recent energy bill that would have paved the way for Utah to develop nuclear power as a generator of electricity. "At our own peril of over consuming oil and other resources, we should not ignore nuclear energy," said Daw. Opponents of the amendment argued that the state should not have to be a repository for spent nuclear fuel created by plants in other states. "For us to be promoting nuclear energy, particularly more than other resources in this state, I think sends a very strong signal that contradicts the position we've taken as it relates to high-level waste," said Ralph Becker, a Democrat from Salt Lake City's district.
(AP, http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=133807, 11/30/05).

 

 

 

Credits

Compiled by: Chad Kreikemeier
Edited by: Brita Ericson