Nuclear Power Today articles from July 2004

Nuclear Power Today archives from July 2004

SEC Requests Nuclear Plant Outage Information From FirstEnergy.(Securities and Exchange Commission )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Akron, OH-based public utility holding company First Energy Corporation recently announced that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), as part of an informal inquiry that began last September, has requested in a new letter that the...

Emergency Signals Problems at VT Nuclear Plant.(Entergy Nuclear's Vermont Yankee plant )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The Associated Press (AP) recently reported on a low-level emergency that took place at Entergy Nuclear's Vermont Yankee plant earlier this month. According to AP, while federal law required Entergy to notify the Vermont office of...

Chapelcross Nuclear Plant in U.K. Ceases Operations.(Chapelcross nuclear power plant)(British Nuclear Group)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... British Nuclear Group recently announced it has ceased electricity generation at the 45-year-old, 194-megawatt (MW) Chapelcross nuclear power plant. The company initially announced plans to phase out operations at the four-reactor nuclear...

Russian Prime Minister Comments on Nuclear Power Industry.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The BBC recently reported on Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov's speech describing the condition of the country's nuclear power during an international conference commemorating the 50-year anniversary of the beginning of the nuclear power...

Southern Nuclear Begins Layoffs at GA, AL Plants.(Augusta Chronicle)(Brief Article)
July 2, 2004... Local Georgia newspaper the Augusta Chronicle recently reported that Southern Nuclear Operating Company's Plant Vogtle in Waynesboro, GA has laid off approximately 40 workers as part of the company's downsizing strategy. According to the...

Russia Works to Bring Iranian Nuclear Plant Online.(Russian Federal Agency for Atomic Power)(Brief Article)
July 2, 2004... BBC recently reported that while speaking earlier this week at the "50 Years of Atomic Power in Russia" international conference, Russian Federal Agency for Atomic Power head Aleksandr Rumyantsev revealed that the first "generating set" at the...

Israel to Make Lugol Anti-radiation Pills Available.(Haaretz)(Brief Article)
July 2, 2004... Israeli newspaper Haaretz recently reported that the national government plans to distribute Lugol anti-radiation pills to approximately 100,000 residents living near nuclear reactors located in Dimona and Nahal Sorek. According to...

IAEA Considers Nuclear Prospects for Near and Long-term.(International Atomic Energy Agency)(Brief Article)
July 2, 2004... The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently released a new report that considers the prospects for nuclear power in both the short- and long-term. According to IAEA, while agency experts issue periodic projections on the future...

Weekly Update.(Calendar)
July 2, 2004... 2004 UTILITY WORKING CONFERENCE -- PROMOTING THE NUCLEAR SAFETY CULTURE: REALIZING OPERATIONAL AND ECONOMIC GAINS, August 8-11, 2004, Amelia Island Plantation, Amelia Island, FL 16TH TOPICAL MEETING ON TECHNOLOGY OF FUSION ENERGY, September...

CT Legislator to Serve as Dominion PR Consultant.(Connecticut state)(Brief Article)
July 8, 2004... The Associated Press (AP) recently reported that Connecticut state senator Melodie Peters, the co-chairwoman of the General Assembly's energy and technology committee, plans to serve through the end of the year as a public relations (PR)...

CNNC Set to Begin Construction at Sanmen Nuclear Plant.(China National Nuclear Corporation)(Brief Article)
July 8, 2004... China Daily recently reported that the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) announced it has nearly completed the infrastructure ground work for its new nuclear power plant in Sanmen, Zhejiang Province, and is prepared to begin official...

Pakistan to Build Nuclear Desalination Plant.(Brief Article)
July 8, 2004... Pakistani newspaper the Karachi News recently reported that the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission and the Directorate-General Nuclear Power have jointly undertaken a project to design, manufacture and install a nuclear desalination facility at...

Russian Companies Fear Bank Actions Threaten Nuclear Industry.(Brief Article)
July 8, 2004... Online Russian newspaper MosNews.com recently reported that the heads of Russian energy companies Energogigant, Energokaskad, Khimenergo and Spetsenergoprodukt-95 have urged the Central Bank of Russia to address concerns that the freezing of...

Japan Nuclear Program Faces Controversy.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2004... The Associated Press (AP) recently reported that as Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) considers plans to utilize a reprocessed nuclear fuel known as mixed oxide (MOX) at nuclear power plants during the country's transition...

Bulgaria Approves Formation of New Nuclear Power Company.(Brief Article)
July 9, 2004... Local Bulgarian newspaper Sofia Morning News recently reported that the Bulgaria Cabinet has approved the formation of a new nuclear company comprising units five and six of the Kozloduy nuclear power plant, the construction site and the power...

Local Russian Governor Comments on Nuclear Storage Proposal.(Alexander Khloponin)(Brief Article)
July 9, 2004... The Russian News and Information Agency (RIA) Novosti recently reported that Krasnoyarsk Territory, Siberia governor Alexander Khloponin has expressed to the agency his strong opposition to the proposed development of an international nuclear...

Weekly Update.(nuclear industry)(Calendar)
July 9, 2004... 2004 UTILITY WORKING CONFERENCE -- PROMOTING THE NUCLEAR SAFETY CULTURE: REALIZING OPERATIONAL AND ECONOMIC GAINS, August 8-11, 2004, Amelia Island Plantation, Amelia Island, FL 16TH TOPICAL MEETING ON TECHNOLOGY OF FUSION ENERGY, September...

Ontario Government Allows OPG to Restart Nuclear Unit.(Ontario Power Generation)(Brief Article)
July 12, 2004... The Ontario ministry of energy recently announced it has approved Ontario Power Generation's (OPG) plan to restart Unit 1 production at the Pickering A nuclear plant. "We are facing a looming electricity supply gap and must leverage power...

Union Seeks to Shutdown MA Nuclear Station During Strike.(Massachusetts)(Brief Article)
July 12, 2004... The Boston Herald recently reported that the Utility Workers Union of America Local 369 has announced its intent to petition the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to shutdown Entergy Corporation's Pilgrim nuclear power plant in Massachusetts...

Nebraska Governor Urges Texas to Accept Nuclear Waste.(Mike Johanns)(Brief Article)
July 12, 2004... The Associated Press (AP) recently reported that Kathy Walt, a spokesperson for Texas governor Rick Perry, has informed the news wire that Nebraska governor Mike Johanns has contacted Perry to see whether Texas will store nuclear waste...

Ukraine Nuclear Plant to Receive Loan for Safety Improvements.
July 12, 2004... The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) recently announced that its board of directors has approved a $42 million loan that is expected to help modernize and improve safety for two 1,000-megawatt (MW) nuclear reactors --...

NRC Finds No Significant Environmental Impacts From IL Plants.(Nuclear Regulatory Commission, illinois)(Brief Article)
July 13, 2004... The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recently issued its final environmental impact statements on the proposed renewal of the operating licenses for the Dresden nuclear power plant, located outside of Morris, IL, and the Quad Cities nuclear...

Sweden Pressures to Phase Out Nuclear Reactors.(Brief Article)
July 13, 2004... Nuclear Engineering International recently reported that the Swedish government is being urged by Denmark as well as internal government coalitions to complete the country's planned phaseout of all 11 of its nuclear reactors, which currently...

IAEA Plan Calls for New Nuclear Plant in Armenia.(International Atomic Energy Agency)(Brief Article)
July 13, 2004... Interfax recently reported that Armenia State Nuclear Control Committee chairman Ashot Martirosian has revealed that one of two International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)-developed plans calls for the construction of a new nuclear power plant in...

Court Rules Against EPA's Yucca Nuclear Radiation Standards.(Environmental Protection Agency)(Brief Article)
July 14, 2004... National nonprofit consumer advocacy organization Public Citizen recently announced that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit has ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) illegally set its radiation release standards for...

Scotland Considers Construction of New Nuclear Plant.(Brief Article)
July 14, 2004... The Scotsman recently reported that nuclear industry sources have revealed that the country is considering the construction of a new nuclear power plant in order to help the U.K. meet its greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals. According to...

TEPCO Shuts Down Nuclear Plant Generator in Japan.(Tokyo Electric Power Company Inc)(Brief Article)
July 14, 2004... Reuters recently reported that Japanese utility Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) late last week closed down the No. 1 nuclear generator at the TEPCO Kashiwazaki-Kariwa power plant. According to Reuters, company officials said the...

Temporary Nuclear Plant Closure Costs NB Power Over $1 Million.(Brief Article)
July 15, 2004... The New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal recently reported that NB Power's Point Lepreau nuclear generating station resumed operations earlier this week after shutting down for two days following a series of lightning strikes on the plant's power...

Browns Ferry Nuclear Reactor Resumes Operations in AL.(Alabama)(Brief Article)
July 15, 2004... The Associated Press (AP) recently reported that the Unit 2 reactor at the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant in Alabama resumed operations earlier this week after a flaw in the system's instrumentation caused the...

Ukraine Approves New Sarcophagus Design for Chernobyl.(Brief Article)
July 15, 2004... Russian Information Agency (RIA) Novosti recently reported that designs for a new sarcophagus protective cover for the Chernobyl nuclear power plant have been approved by Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers. According to RIA Novosti, the new...

Palo Verde Unit 2 Reactor Unexpectedly Shuts Down in AZ.(Arizona)(Brief Article)
July 16, 2004... Bloomberg News recently reported that Pinnacle West Capital Corporation's Palo Verde unit 2 reactor unexpectedly shut down earlier this week. According to Bloomberg, plant spokesperson Sheri Foote said the other two reactors at the...

Australia Drops Plans for National Nuclear Waste Dump.(Brief Article)
July 16, 2004... Australian newspaper the Herald Sun recently reported that the federal government is under criticism for dropping plans to establish a national low-level nuclear waste repository in South Australia. According to the paper, Prime Minister...

Local Indian Nuclear Plant Project Moving Ahead of Schedule.(Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd.)(Brief Article)
July 16, 2004... Local Indian news service Chennai Online recently reported that Nuclear Power Corporation of India, Ltd. (NPCIL) chairman and managing director S.K. Jain has announced that the Kudankulam nuclear power plant in Tirunelveli, Chennai is scheduled...

Weekly Update.(nuclear industry)(Calendar)
July 16, 2004... 2004 UTILITY WORKING CONFERENCE -- PROMOTING THE NUCLEAR SAFETY CULTURE: REALIZING OPERATIONAL AND ECONOMIC GAINS, August 8-11, 2004, Amelia Island Plantation, Amelia Island, FL 16TH TOPICAL MEETING ON TECHNOLOGY OF FUSION ENERGY, September...

DOE Official Says Administration to Proceed With Yucca Plan.(Department of Energy )(Brief Article)
July 19, 2004... Reuters recently reported that Department of Energy (DOE) deputy secretary Kyle McSlarrow stated before a Senate Energy Committee hearing on nuclear energy held last week that the Bush administration intends to move forward with its plan to...

Australia Considers Northern Territory for Nuclear Waste Site.(Brief Article)
July 19, 2004... The Australian recently reported that minister of parliament (MP) Warren Snowdon has revealed that the commonwealth's consideration of possible sites to store low- to medium-level nuclear waste produced by federal government sources could...

Japanese Locality Calls for Interim Nuclear Storage Facility.(Brief Article)
July 19, 2004... Kyodo recently reported that, despite opposition from prefectural governor Issei Nishikawa and Kansai Electric Power Company (Kepco), government officials in the town of Mihama in Fukui Prefecture, Japan plan to call on Kepco to establish an...

NRC Approves Power Uprate for Palisades Nuclear Plant.(Nuclear Regulatory Commission)(Brief Article)
July 20, 2004... The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recently approved a request by the Nuclear Management Company to increase the generating capacity of the Palisades nuclear power plant near South Haven, MI by 1.4 percent from 780 megawatts electric (MWe)...

BPA Draft Plan Reveals Planned Reliance on Nuclear, Hydro.(Bonneville Power Administration)(Brief Article)
July 20, 2004... The Tri-City Herald recently reported that the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) has developed a draft strategy which reveals its intention to begin solely offering power derived from the Richland, WA nuclear power plant and federal dams in...

FPL Outlines Planned Improvements at Nuclear Power Plants.(Florida Power and Light Co.)(Brief Article)
July 20, 2004... Local Florida newspaper the South Florida Sun-Sentinel recently reported that Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) senior vice president for nuclear operations J.A. Stall has revealed that the utility plans to spend approximately $1 billion over...

Mitsui Babcock Official Comments on U.K. Nuclear Waste Output.(Brief Article)
July 20, 2004... Reuters recently reported that Mitsui Babcock managing director Iain Miller has commented on nuclear waste generation in the U.K., noting that new designs for more fuel-efficient nuclear reactors "only produce 10 percent of the radioactive...

NRC Investigates Plant Shutdown in IL.(Nuclear Regulatory Commission)(Clinton Nuclear Power Plant)(Brief Article)
July 21, 2004... The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has begun a special inspection into the circumstances surrounding a recent reactor shutdown at the Clinton Nuclear Power Plant in Clinton, IL. According to NRC, although the plant's safety systems...

PG&E Examines Conflicting Documents About Used Nuclear Fuel.(Pacific Gas and Electric Co.)(Brief Article)
July 21, 2004... Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) recently announced it has identified and is working to resolve conflicting documentation about the storage location of a small amount of used nuclear fuel at its Humboldt Bay Power Plant, near Eureka in...

First Phase of Guangdong Nuclear Plant Approved.(Guangdong Nuclear Power Co.)(Brief Article)
July 21, 2004... State officials in China's Guangdong Province have issued a passing grade to the Ling'ao nuclear power plant after a trial operation period. The plant features two 1-million-kilowatt (kW) generators, which produced more than 6 billion...

NRC to Conduct Investigation into Missing Vermont Yankee Fuel.(Nuclear Regulatory Commission)(Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp.)(Brief Article)
July 22, 2004... The Associated Press (AP) recently reported that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) plans to conduct a special investigation into last week's confusion as to the whereabouts of radioactive spent fuel at the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant....

Australian Minister Criticizes State Nuclear Waste Dump Plan.(Brief Article)
July 22, 2004... Australian newspaper the Advertiser recently reported that the federal government's minister for finance and administration Nick Minchin has criticized South Australian premier Mike Rann's proposal to dump nuclear waste at Western Mining...

NRC Appoints New Nuclear Waste Advisory Committee Member.(Nuclear Regulatory Commission appoints Allen Croff)(Brief Article)
July 22, 2004... The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recently appointed Allen Croff to its Advisory Committee on Nuclear Waste (ACNW). NRC noted that Croff previously worked for 29 years at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where he was instrumental in...

NRC to Inspect Dry Cask Storage Facility at NY Nuclear Plant.(Nuclear Regulatory Commission)(Indian Point nuclear power plant)(Brief Article)
July 23, 2004... The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recently announced that a dry cask storage facility for spent fuel planned for the Indian Point nuclear power plant in New York will be subject to "rigorous" reviews by the agency before it is allowed to...

Monitoring System Activates False Alert at Ohio Nuclear Plant.(Monitoring instrument)(plant ventilation system)(Brief Article)
July 23, 2004... Akron, Ohio-based FirstEnergy Corporation recently announced that a monitoring instrument at its nuclear power plant in Perry indicated a false reading in a plant ventilation system earlier this week. According to the company, the...

U.S., Romania Ink Nuclear Threat Reduction Agreement.(Brief Article)
July 23, 2004... Romania and the United States recently signed an implementing agreement focused on future work in nuclear nonproliferation. "This agreement provides yet another excellent opportunity for the United States and Romania to work together to...

Russia, Iran Discuss Nuclear Waste Disposal Protocol.(Itar-Tass)(Brief Article)
July 23, 2004... Russian news agency Itar-Tass recently reported that Russia's Federal Nuclear Energy Agency head Alexander Rumyantsev met earlier this week with Iranian ambassador Gholam-Reza Shafei to discuss the potential signing of a protocol related to the...

Weekly Update.(Calendar)
July 23, 2004... 2004 UTILITY WORKING CONFERENCE -- PROMOTING THE NUCLEAR SAFETY CULTURE: REALIZING OPERATIONAL AND ECONOMIC GAINS, August 8-11, 2004, Amelia Island Plantation, Amelia Island, FL ECORAD 2004: THE SCIENTIFIC BASIS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION...

NRC Announces Opportunity for Hearing on NY Nuclear Plant.(Nuclear Regulatory Commission)(Brief Article)
July 26, 2004... The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recently announced the opportunity to request a hearing on an application to renew operating licenses for the Nine Mile Point nuclear plant's Units 1 and 2 in Oswego, NY. NRC noted that the licenses...

China's State Council Approves Two New Nuclear Projects.(Lin'ao Nuclear Power Plant)(Sanmen Nuclear Power Plant)(Brief Article)
July 26, 2004... China Daily recently reported that China's State Council has approved two new nuclear plant projects. According to China Daily, the projects include the installation of two 1,000-megawatt nuclear reactors at both the Lin'ao Nuclear Power...

Parliamentary Office Reports on Safety of U.K. Nuclear Plants.(Brief Article)
July 26, 2004... BBC recently reported that a new study by the U.K.'s Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology's indicates that a successful terrorist attack on a British nuclear plant is "highly unlikely." According to BBC, the report, which is a...

Shaw Receives Contracts for TVA, STP Nuclear Projects.(STP Nuclear Operating Co.)(Stone and Webster Construction Company Inc.)(Brief Article)
July 27, 2004... The Shaw Group, Inc. recently announced that its subsidiary Stone & Webster Construction, Inc. has been awarded a seven-year maintenance and modification services contract by the STP Nuclear Operating Company, which operates the South Texas...

Greenpeace Groups Fined For Use of Areva Logo.(Greenpeace Inc.)(Brief Article)
July 27, 2004... Greenpeace groups in France and New Zealand have been fined for using the logo of Areva the French nuclear power group on its websites. Damages of more than $16,000 were assessed against Greenpeace for its use of the logo, which was...

FAAE Surveys Reaction to Proposed Floating Nuclear Plants.(Federal Agency for Atomic Energy)(Brief Article)
July 27, 2004... Russian Information Agency (RIA) Novosti recently reported that the Federal Agency for Atomic Energy (FAAE) has revealed the results of a five-month survey conducted on its website to evaluate the reaction to the proposed development of a new...

NJ Governor Calls For Closure of Local Nuclear Plant.(James McGreevey)(AmerGen Energy Co.)(Brief Article)
July 28, 2004... Newsday recently reported that New Jersey governor James McGreevey has written a letter to the president and chief nuclear officer of Illinois-based AmerGen Energy Company expressing concerns about its nuclear power plant in Oyster Creek, NJ....

Investigation Highlights Performance of U.K. Nuclear Fuel Factory.(British Nuclear Fuels)(Brief Article)
July 28, 2004... The Guardian recently reported that its own investigation of the U.K.'s nuclear fuel factory at Sellafield in Cumbria has revealed that the facility, which began operating in December 2001 and has so far cost taxpayers approximately 600 million...

New Study Evaluates DOE's Progress on Hanford Site Cleanup.(Department of Energy)(Brief Article)
July 28, 2004... NewScientist.com recently reported that the Institute for Policy Studies' Bob Alvarez, a former senior environmental adviser to president Clinton, has conducted a study of the Department of Energy's (DOE) 30-year, $50-billion cleanup project at...

NRC Official Says VT Plant Steam Dryer Problem Unresolved.(Nuclear Regulatory Commission)(Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp.)(Brief Article)
July 29, 2004... The Associated Press (AP) recently reported that Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) official Rick Ennis said meetings conducted last week pertaining to cracks in the steam dryer at the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant have yet to result in...

Wisconsin Paper Council Supports Sale of Kewaunee Plant.(Dominion Resources Inc.)(Brief Article)
July 29, 2004... The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel recently reported that the Wisconsin Paper Council earlier this week announced its support for the proposed sale of the local Kewaunee nuclear power plant to Richmond, VA-based Dominion Resources, Inc. ...

EU Commissioner Faults Trittin's Nuclear Approach.(Brief Article)
July 29, 2004... German news broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) recently reported that European Union (EU) energy commissioner Loyola de Palacio has criticized German environment minister Jurgen Trittin's nuclear policy. According to DW, Palacio specifically...

Local MA Lawmakers Concerned About Nuclear Decommissioning.(Massachusetts)(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... Local Massachusetts newspaper the Berkshire Eagle recently reported that officials with the North Adams City Council have expressed concerns regarding the current decommissioning of the Yankee Rowe nuclear power plant, which began in 1993,...

Jordanian Government Assures the Kingdom is Radiation Free.(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... The Associated Press (AP) recently reported that a Jordanian government spokesperson assured reporters that Jordan has not been exposed to radiation from Israel's Dimona nuclear plant, following Israeli nuclear scientist Mordechai Vanunu's...

Local Australian Minister to Formally Oppose Nuclear Dump Plan.(Nuclear Waste)(Brief Article)
July 30, 2004... The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) recently reported that Clare Martin, the chief minister of Australia's Northern Territory, announced earlier this week plans to draft new legislation aimed at preventing the local development of a...

Weekly Update.(safety meetings. )
July 30, 2004... 2004 UTILITY WORKING CONFERENCE -- PROMOTING THE NUCLEAR SAFETY CULTURE: REALIZING OPERATIONAL AND ECONOMIC GAINS, August 8-11, 2004, Amelia Island Plantation, Amelia Island, FL ECORAD 2004: THE SCIENTIFIC BASIS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION...