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Activists halted nuclear waste ship for several hours

Nuclear ship proceeds despite protests, Herald Sun ,Wolfgang Jung and Stephen Wolf, Deutsche Presse Agentur June 29, 2017  A transport ship loaded with highly radioactive nuclear waste has continued its journey along a German river after being halted by protesters.

Four activists from the German environmental group Robin Wood abseiled from a bridge over the Neckar river in the town of Bad Wimpfen in southwest Germany, unfurling a banner reading, “Prevent, don’t put off.”

The stunt halted for several hours the first-ever river transport of atomic waste in Germany while specially trained forces attempted to remove them from the bridge…….http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/nuclear-ship-proceeds-despite-protests/news-story/baef982d1bccf91bafd6fe21e909e660

June 30, 2017 Posted by | France, opposition to nuclear | Leave a comment

Flamanville nuclear reactor 3 likely to go ahead, despite weak spots in its steel

FT 28th June 2017, A group of experts at the French nuclear safety authority have cleared
EDF’s Flamanville 3 nuclear reactor to start as planned next year – despite weak spots in its steel. The group’s non-binding recommendation will be used by the safety authority, the ASN, to formulate a final ruling on October.

But the decision makes it likely the reactor will get the final green light. Completion of the next-generation reactor had been thrown into doubt after the discovery in 2015 of weak spots in the steel prompted an
extensive safety review by the ASN.

The stakes are high for French nuclear groups EDF and Areva because it would cost billions of euros to fix if the
ASN had ruled that the steel was too brittle. The sign off by the ASN is also a European Commission pre condition for approving EDF’s planned takeover of Areva’s reactor business. The group of experts did recommend,
however, that EDF put in place a new reactor cover by 2024.  https://www.ft.com/content/7b401283-e91c-3612-9e21-2d1c8c45ed8d

June 30, 2017 Posted by | France, safety | Leave a comment

French Nuclear regulator requires more inspections of Flamanville EPR reactor pressure vessel anomaly.

ASN 28th June 2017, On 28th June 2017, ASN presented its position regarding the Flamanville EPR
reactor pressure vessel anomaly. ASN relied on the analysis of the files
transmitted by Areva NP and EDF, carried out by its nuclear pressure
equipment department and its technical support organisation IRSN, and on
the opinion of its Advisory Committee for nuclear pressure equipment.

On the basis of the technical analyses carried out, ASN considers that the
mechanical characteristics of the pressure vessel bottom head and closure
head are adequate with regard to the loadings to which these parts are
subjected, including accident situations.

However, the anomaly in the chemical composition of the steel entails a reduction in the margins with
respect to the fast fracture risk. ASN therefore considers that EDF must
implement additional periodic inspections to ensure that no flaws appear
subsequently. ASN observes that such inspections can be performed on the
vessel bottom head and therefore considers that they must be implemented.

However, the technical feasibility of similar inspections on the pressure
vessel closure head is not established. ASN therefore considers that the
use of the closure head must be limited in time. It notes that it would
take about seven years to manufacture a new closure head, which could thus
be available by the end of 2024. In these conditions, ASN considers that
the current closure head shall not be operated beyond that date.
http://www.french-nuclear-safety.fr/Information/News-releases/ASN-presents-its-position-regarding-the-Flamanville-EPR-reactor-vessel-anomaly

June 30, 2017 Posted by | France, safety | Leave a comment

Bradwell nuclear wastes reclassified as “low level”: failed technology now used for disposal


Clacton & Frinton Gazette 27th June 2017, A CAMPAIGN group has described process used to dissolve the FEDs at
Bradwell as an “outrage” and an “insult”. Members of the Blackwater
Against New Nuclear Group (BANNG) had their say on the process which saw
radioactive waste dissolved in acid at the site.

Chairman, Andy Blowers said: “It is nothing short of an outrage and an insult to the Blackwater
environment and communities that the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority
(NDA) persisted despite all the signs that dissolution with nitric acid was
a failing technology.” BANNG Secretary, Varrie Blowers added: “The NDA
obviously believes that the end justified the chaotic means. While FED
dissolution may not have finished, it is hard to imagine that anyone can
think that the FED at Bradwell has been dealt with successfully, given all
the operational difficulties and the outages experienced.”

BANNG believe the reason the process has now been completed is because of the
re-characterisation of the waste, rather than it being fully dealt with.
They point to only one third of Intermediate Level Waste being treated, as
opposed to the full amount, with two thirds being reclassified as Low Level
Waste. Barry Turner, Vice-Chair of BANNG, said: “The Bradwell FED
dissolution plant has turned out to be an expensive one-off and has been
used to dissolve only one-third of the waste and not the originally
expected 100 per cent.”   http://www.clactonandfrintongazette.co.uk/news/north_essex_news/15372952.Process_used_to_remove_radioactive_waste_an__outrage__and__insult__to_the_area__says_campaign_group/

June 30, 2017 Posted by | UK, wastes | Leave a comment

USA White House in discussions with bankrupt Westinghouse nuclear – may provide tax-payer support

FT 28th June 2017, The White House has not ruled out providing government support for
Westinghouse, the bankrupt US nuclear group, as the Trump administration
works to ensure that the US remains a force in the nuclear industry. A
senior White House official said the administration is holding regular
discussions about Westinghouse since the company entered Chapter 11
bankruptcy proceedings in March.

Officials are trying to find a buyer for
Westinghouse to ensure it does not fall into Chinese or Russian hands, but
the White House is aware that without an acceptable private-sector solution
the group may need government help to remain under US control. https://www.ft.com/content/f1937a88-5c0f-11e7-9bc8-8055f264aa8b

June 30, 2017 Posted by | business and costs, politics, USA | Leave a comment

Community Energy developments in European Union

Co-op News 27th June 2017, Energy co-ops are in a bullish mood and are focused on sector-wide growth.
Last week, I attended the General Assembly of REScoop – the European
federation of renewable energy co-operatives – on behalf of Co-op Energy
and also as an elected director of Community Energy England.

One of the discussion points was that around half of the European Union population
will be producing their own energy in the next 40 years, according to the
European Renewable Energies Federation. The figures predict that over 264
million European citizens could produce their own energy in 2050, meeting
45% of Europe’s electricity demand.

The discussion was all very upbeat and heartening, although all gains made to date are still in play, with
legislative proposals subject to amendments from the European Parliament in
the near future. The European Commission is now even on record as saying:
“Our vision is of an Energy Union with citizens at its core, where
citizens take ownership of the energy transition, benefit from new
technologies to reduce their bills, participate actively in the market, and
where vulnerable consumers are protected.” https://www.thenews.coop/119543/sector/energy-coops-come-together-to-innovate/

June 30, 2017 Posted by | decentralised, EUROPE | Leave a comment

Bristol UK to become a major generator of community-owned clean energy

Bristol Energy Co-op 27th June 2017, Bristol Energy Cooperative (BEC) launches a new crowdfund to continue its
journey to become a major generator of community-owned clean energy. The
crowdfund target of £1,150,000 will enable BEC to repay previous loans and
invest in new micro-renewable generation and storage schemes. These include
a 100kW Tesla battery storage project at a new sustainable housing site.

This bond offer builds on the popularity of BEC’s energy schemes where
surplus profits are reinvested into the community. BEC has a proven track
record of funding and developing renewables, including raising the
ambitious sum of £10m last year.
http://www.bristolenergy.coop/news–events/our-new-crowdfund-launches-to-continue-the-energy-revolution

June 30, 2017 Posted by | decentralised, UK | Leave a comment

USA House energy-water appropriations bill would slash key DOE programs

APPROPRIATIONS House bill would slash key DOE programs Geof Koss and Christa Marshall, E&E News reporters Greenwire: Tuesday, June 27, 2017 Department of Energy research and renewable energy programs would see a major funding reduction under the fiscal 2018 House energy-water appropriations bill released today, while the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) would be eliminated entirely.

The $37.5 billion bill, set for subcommittee markup tomorrow morning, would give DOE $209 million less than the fiscal 2017 spending level but $3.65 billion above the administration’s request, according to a GOP summary.

Funding priorities in the proposal include nuclear weapons activities and energy and water infrastructure, the summary said.

Nuclear weapons programs would see $13.9 billion under the bill, which House appropriators say equals a nearly $1 billion boost above fiscal 2017 enacted levels.

That amount includes $340 million for construction of South Carolina’s Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility, a perennial source of tension between Congress and the executive branch.

Energy programs at DOE would see $9.6 billion next year under the bill, an amount the committee says represents a $1.7 billion cut from fiscal 2017 enacted levels but $2.3 billion more than the administration had sought.

The summary says the legislation prioritizes “early-stage research and development funding for the applied energy programs,” intended to help advance “the nation’s goal of an ‘all-of-the-above’ solution to energy independence.”……..

Yucca Mountain, Russia

House Republicans seized on President Trump’s embrace of the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository that’s stalled in Nevada.

The spending bill includes $90 million to advance the project northwest of Las Vegas, which the Obama administration deemed unworkable under the watchful eye of former Senate Democratic Sen. Harry Reid, a fierce opponent.

According to the bill, money would come from the Nuclear Waste Fund. The House measure would also provide $30 million for DOE’s work on disposing of defense-related nuclear waste and $30 million for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to continue Yucca permitting activities.

The bill also lays out individual percentages that affected counties in Nevada would receive for hosting Yucca Mountain. Should the funding fail to be distributed, local officials would be cut off from future dispersals.

Furthermore, the spending bill stipulates that any money counties receive cannot be spent on litigation, interim storage or activities inconsistent with the legislation.

The bill does not otherwise include any money or language addressing interim storage of nuclear waste — a hot issue for senators eager to see solutions move forward given that Yucca could take years to complete……

The House bill also includes language that would bar any federally appropriated money from being used to forge new contracts or agreements with Russia related to nuclear nonproliferation projects without approval from the Energy secretary……… https://www.eenews.net/stories/1060056660

June 30, 2017 Posted by | ENERGY, politics, USA | Leave a comment

Reactions to news of investigation of Los Alamos National Laboratory’s latest waste shipment violation

LANL shipment investigation draws reactions, lamonitor.com, By Tris DeRoma, June 28, 2017 The announcement of an investigation by a government oversight agency over Los Alamos National Laboratory’s latest waste shipment violation has some people questioning what it may mean for the future of the laboratory and its weapons programs.

“They hardly ever do that,” Los Alamos Study Group Executive Director Greg Mello said of the National Nuclear Security Administration’s response to LANL’s violation.

The NNSA oversees LANL and the other government facilities responsible for country’s nuclear arsenal.

“The NNSA said it was serious, and the fact that they put out a press release at all means they do think that,” Mello said. “They’re tired of screw-ups at Los Alamos.”

NNSA’s investigation is about why LANL failed to follow proper procedures when shipping “special nuclear material” to the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the Savannah River National Laboratory……..

LANL’s most recent safety violation has also drawn criticism from New Mexico’s congressional delegation.

“The alleged violations of nuclear material shipping regulations at LANL, if true, are deeply concerning,” State Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, (D-NM) said. “The safety of the workers at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and in the Los Alamos community must be paramount. LANL has rigorous protocols that govern the shipping of nuclear material, and if something in this process failed or needs improvement we must correct the problem immediately. I have asked for a full briefing from the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) as soon as possible to better understand the situation and what is being done to ensure the safety and security of nuclear material at the lab.”http://www.lamonitor.com/content/lanl-shipment-investigation-draws-reactions

June 30, 2017 Posted by | general | Leave a comment

Los Alamos National Laboratory management unsatisfactory; new contract up for grabs

Contract to manage LANL is up for bid, Albuqueque Journal SANTA FE, N.M. — The competition for a multibillion-dollar contract to manage the U.S. laboratory that created the atomic bomb is beginning as criticism intensifies over the troubled safety record of Los Alamos National Laboratory.

The National Nuclear Security Administration on Tuesday posted online its intent to conduct a competition for the lab’s management and operation contract.

The agency said the process will provide the best opportunity to improve the terms and conditions of the lucrative contract to provide performance incentives at the northern New Mexico nuclear weapons research center.

The current contract with Los Alamos National Security LLC – a private consortium that includes Bechtel and the University of California – expires in September 2018. The NNSA decided against extending the contract, which has a $2.2 billion annual budget, after a series of subpar performance reviews……https://www.abqjournal.com/1024832/up-for-bid.html

June 30, 2017 Posted by | business and costs, USA | Leave a comment

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