Energy and Climate Change


Third NRC/DOE Workshop Set on Advanced Reactor Designs

The agency defines advanced reactors as technologies using something other than water to cool the reactor core. NRC is currently discussing one advanced design with a vendor considering applying for design certification.

China's Interest in Westinghouse Sparks White House Concern

Meanwhile, NRC's Atomic Safety and Licensing Board will hold an evidentiary hearing May 2 in Homestead, Fla, about wastewater environmental impacts from Florida Power & Light AP1000 reactors at the Turkey Point site 40 miles south of Miami.

Proposals Sought for IAEA Conference on Protecting Nuclear Facilities

The IAEA International Conference on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and Nuclear Facilities will be held Nov. 13-17, 2017, in Vienna, Austria.

The Sarulla geothermal power plant in Indonesia

Sarulla Geothermal Plant's First Unit Now Operational

One of the world's largest geothermal power plants has begun commercial operation in Indonesia, Toshiba Corporation and Ormat Technologies Inc. announced.

Robotic Surveys Having Trouble Inside Fukushima Reactor No. 1

Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority is recommending using a different survey method after TEPCO said an attempt failed to deliver a camera to locations where images of nuclear fuel debris could be taken.

EBRD to Finance Renewable Energy Investments in Greece

The London-based financing agency says the country has huge potential for renewables, including solar, wind, biomass, and geothermal power.

DOE Wants Comments on Possible Changes to Uranium Transfers

The U.S. Department of Energy is asking for comments and information by April 10 about a possible change in its transfers of uranium for cleanup services at the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Piketon, Ohio.

New York-Owned Ski Resorts Going All In on Renewables

The I AM PRO SNOW 100% Committed program helps meet the governor's Reforming the Energy Vision's strategic plan for building a cleaner, more resilient, and more affordable energy system across the state.



Major Loss By Toshiba Rattles Nuclear Sector

The Japanese company took a $6.3 billion writedown to its U.S. nuclear unit on Feb. 14 and announced several executive changes, including the resignation of Shigenori Shiga as representative executive officer to take management responsibility for the loss.

NRC Proposes Lower Fees for FY2017

The proposed rule reduces annual fees by 7.3 percent from last year for operating reactors, by 16.1 percent for most fuel cycle facilities, and by 1.5 percent for spent fuel storage and decommissioning reactor licensees.

EPA Halts Grant Programs, Tells Employees to Remain Silent

Sources within the agency say it has been instructed to freeze all grants.

President Trump Plans 'America First' Energy Plan

Protecting clean air and clean water, conserving our natural habitats, and preserving our natural reserves and resources will remain a high priority, and President Trump will refocus the EPA on its essential mission of protecting our air and water, the new administration says.

Massachusetts School Installs Rooftop Solar System

Epiphany School installs 25 kW solar PV system through partnership with Solect Energy.

Waste Management Issues Interactive Sustainability Report

Waste Management recycled and composted more than 14 million tons of materials from the waste stream in 2015 and operated more than 5,100 natural gas-fueled vehicles.

Massachusetts School's Solar Canopy Completed

Solect Energy owns and operates the array and sells the power back to Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical High School at a reduced, fixed rate for the duration of the agreement. The company reports the project was completed and commissioned at zero cost to the school.

A water district in North Texas increases revenue while decreasing demand with MDM and CIS support from FATHOM.

DFW Area Town First to Adopt Smart Grid for Water in Texas

A water district in North Texas increases revenue while decreasing demand with MDM and CIS support from FATHOM.

Chernobyl Reactor Shield's Move Completed

A ceremony in Chernobyl on Nov. 29 marked the successful conclusion of the sliding operation, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development announced.

Cal/OSHA Cites Solar Panel Installer After Fall

The fall occurred on June 13 and "there was no evidence of fall protection at the site, despite the hazards presented by more than 140 skylights in the roof of the building, a rooftop access hatch, and the unguarded edges of the roof," according to the agency.

UK Environment Agency Seeking Stakeholder Comments on Reactor Design

Hitachi-GE is trying to carry the UK ABWR through its first stages of regulatory review for development in Britain.

Canadian Government Speeds Up Transition from Coal

Regulatory actions announced Nov. 21 will put Canada on a path to move from 80 percent toward 90 percent non-emitting sources by 2030, using clean electricity to power cars, businesses, and homes across the country.