Until states submit their individual implementation plans, it is not clear what role nuclear will play in the Clean Power Plan. The Environmental Protection Agency says that existing nuclear plants do not count toward state emissions levels – only new construction or stations that have undergone new uprates. This has only exacerbated the industry’s current… Keep reading →
On May 7, 2015, the US Senate voted 98-1 to adopt the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015 (the “Act”).1 The Act is the culmination of months of legislative maneuvering and a debate over foreign policy and separation of powers issues that has cut across ordinary political and partisan lines—notwithstanding the final vote.
The Senate is in session this week while House members are on a scheduled district work period. While the lower chamber is away, the Senate is likely to consider the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015, the Conference Report to the fiscal year 2016 budget, and other measures.
Well, it depends on who you ask, of course. But some suggest the existing US nuclear regulatory framework contains flaws – that in some cases – allow cost to trump safety. There has always been tension between the nuclear industry and the regulators that oversee it. The strongly-held views that permeate discussions around safety, economic… Keep reading →
One of the more contentious issues in the US today is relicensing the nuclear power plant fleet for additional 20-year periods. As you can imagine, this issue can be particularly divisive in the local communities in which these plants are located. That is certainly the case with the Indian Point Energy Center – owned by… Keep reading →
Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant owner Pacific Gas & Electric has issued a couple of seismic studies in the past year – one last September and then another last month. The latest conclusion from the utility: “New Analyses Show Diablo Canyon Safe From Extreme Natural Events.” But Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer is skeptical of PG&E… Keep reading →
Four years ago, on March 11, 2011, a powerful earthquake triggered a massive tsunami that struck Japan’s northeastern Fukushima prefecture and led to a nuclear disaster – multiple reactor core meltdowns – at the Fukushima Daichi nuclear power plant. Unsurprisingly, that event prompted numerous national governments to reevaluate existing nuclear power plant safety regulations, with differing… Keep reading →
Introduction Breaking Energy obtained detailed correspondence between members of congress and the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request that raises important questions about the US nuclear industry, international relations, public health and non-proliferation. The series entitled “Breaking Energy US Nuclear Investigation” will highlight critical questions and findings revealed from… Keep reading →
Energy Department Announces Achievement of Major Cleanup Milestone at Savannah River Site Department Issues Path Forward for Closing Additional Radioactive Waste Storage Tanks in H Tank Farm WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Energy reached a major milestone in efforts to clean up the Cold War legacy at the Savannah River Site (SRS) in South… Keep reading →
The NRC has resumed license renewals after a two-year suspension, bringing the number of commercial nuclear power plants with renewed licenses to 74. On October 29, 2014, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released a report highlighting the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) resumption of license renewals, ending a two-year suspension on licensing decisions. The NRC resumed the… Keep reading →
