Iran
Russia’s nuclear export chief Sergei Shmatko said that Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant won’t be operational until at least late 2008.
Reuters 20th Dec 2007 more >>
Iran on Wednesday touted this week’s delivery by Russia of fuel for its first nuclear reactor as a step in strengthening ties between the two countries and a sign of Moscow’s confidence that Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful.
Guardian website 19th Dec 2007 more >>
US
US-based power generator Exelon Nuclear has selected Victoria County as its site in southeast Texas for a federal license application that will allow construction and operation of a new nuclear plant.
Energy Business Review 19th Dec 2007 more >>
PPL Corp. Wednesday said a subsidiary plans to ask the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to approve a combined license to construct and operate a new generating unit near the Susquehanna nuclear power plant near Berwick, Pa. The Allentown, Pa.-based energy and utility holding company said it has contracted with an affiliate of UniStar Nuclear Energy, a joint venture of Constellation Energy and EDF, to prepare the application, which will be based on AREVA’s U.S. Evolutionary Power Reactor design.
Interactive Investor 19th Dec 2007 more >>
Uranium supply
A number of areas are showing very positive developments for nuclear fuel, such that it will be ready to play its important role in a future and prosperous nuclear industry.
Nuclear Engineering International 19th Dec 2007 more >>
Nuclear Waste
School, leisure facilities and health services in West Cumbria are due for a cash injection as part of a payment for hosting the Drigg low level waste facility. As part of a ground breaking deal Copeland will receive a £10m lump sum and £1.5m per year.
North West Evening Mail 19th Dec 2007 more >>
Debate
Schools in Cumbria have been competing in a debating competition organised by the British Nuclear Energy Society. The topic was whether or not a disaster like Chernobyl could ever happen again.
Carlisle News and Star 19th Dec 2007 more >>
Sellafield
A second attempt is being made to replace vital elements of a nuclear reprocessing plant in Cumbria. A section of the roof of the Thorp facility at Sellafield was removed to allow four huge vessels to be lowered into position by a giant crane. But technical difficulties prevented the 20-tonne vessels – used to process liquid waste and costing £5m each – being lowered into place. Experts said a fresh attempt was being planned for Wednesday.
BBC 19th Dec 2007 more >>
Dounreay
A SQUAD has cracked one of the thorniest jobs in the £3.6 billion clean-up of Dounreay. They have confounded the many sceptics on site who up until a few years ago believed the heavily contaminated PUMA cell was destined to remain in mothballs. The X-rated contents of the steel dome have been painstakingly accounted for, packaged and removed and the structure itself demolished from the inside. Now, the hexagonal building which contained the cell and its support facilities is being prepared to be levelled. The UKAEA views the job as a high point in the site’s decommissioning programme, particularly as it did not hinge on expensive, high-tech robotic processes.
John O Groat Journal 19th Dec 2007 more >>
A new action plan is a three-year blueprint to wean the area off its long-standing overdependence on Dounreay.
John O Groat Journal 19th Dec 2007 more >>