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March 11, 2013

News about the nuclear technologies industry

News Roundup

NRC chief notes key progress in U.S. nuclear safety
U.S. nuclear plants have increased safety in the two years since the Fukushima Daiichi incident in Japan, Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairwoman Allison Macfarlane said. The vast majority of the country's reactors were running at suitable safety levels at the end of last year, she said. "You can't engage that many reactors and not have a few that are going to have difficulty," Macfarlane said. Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Texas)/The Associated Press (3/10)

Bill Gates touts nuclear power's role in fighting climate change
The U.S. should expand the use of nuclear energy and enhance its safety, said Bill Gates, Microsoft's co-founder and chairman. "You can site it where the power is needed," Gates said during the IHS CERAWeek conference. "Unless you think there is a miracle hidden in storage." Reuters (3/7)

NRC unveils redacted report about San Onofre plant issues
The release of a redacted report authored by Mitsubishi that discusses steam-generator design issues at Southern California Edison's San Onofre power station in California set off a flurry of comments about who knew what, and when. An Edison executive said the company was never informed about such a risk. "At the time, the design was considered sound," said Pete Dietrich, Edison's senior vice president and chief nuclear officer. ABC News/The Associated Press (3/8)

Policy Watch

Sen. Boxer wants updates on post-Fukushima safety rules
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission should release a progress report about post-Fukushima Daiichi safety measures for the country's nuclear plants, said Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif. "Please ensure this report includes specific information concerning the current timeline for making final decisions on the remaining safety improvements, the anticipated implementation dates for these requirements, and the expected completion dates when these safety measures will be fully in place at U.S. nuclear plants," Boxer said. The Hill/RegWatch blog (3/9)

Nuclear must be considered in Utah's energy plans, PSC chief says
Nuclear energy needs to be considered in Utah's Integrated Resource Plan process, according to the chairman of the state's Public Service Commission. The announcement comes after efforts failed in the state legislature to amend rate recovery and planning rules for new energy sources. "Before this statement from the PSC, it was unclear to us whether new nuclear could be reasonably included in the relatively short implementation process of the IRP. After further review of the current law, the PSC has determined that the process already exists to accommodate the longer nuclear development time frame," said Aaron Tilton, president and CEO of Blue Castle Holdings. NuclearStreet.com (3/8)

Management & Leadership

How to lead like Henry V
A famous speech from Shakespeare's "Henry V" holds lessons for modern leaders, writes Nigel Roberts. Henry's soaring rhetoric provides an upbeat call to action based on a higher goal -- the same strategy CEOs should use to win over their employees. "[T]he Bard managed to capture some universal truths about human nature and the complex way that individuals relate to each other which can provide useful lessons for today's corporate leaders," Roberts writes. Knowledge.Insead.edu (3/7)

How to lead when things are clear as mud
Uncertain and confusing times are the real test of a CEO's leadership ability, writes Scott Eblin. It's important to communicate clearly, to be honest about known unknowns and to avoid disconnecting when the going gets tough. "In the absence of clear and relevant communications from you and with you, people are going to fill the vacuum with stuff they're making up. You don't want that. Stay engaged," Eblin advises. EblinGroup.com/Next Level Blog (3/7)

International

U.K., EDF near deal on nuclear energy development
The U.K. government and Electricite de France have agreed on incentives that would pave the way for the development of new reactors in the country, according to a report. EDF's Hinkley Point project is expected to secure planning approval from U.K. Environment Secretary Ed Davey next week, the report stated. The Independent (London) (tiered subscription model) (3/10)

Amano to hold nuclear safety discussions in India
International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Yukiya Amano this week will hold talks about nuclear safety and related issues with officials in India. Amano is also scheduled to give a lecture in Mumbai about the future of nuclear energy. The Economic Times (India) (3/9)

Hitachi-GE introduces robot for radioactive decontamination
Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy introduced a robot that was developed for the decontamination of nuclear sites. It is called Arounder, and it uses highly pressurized water to scrape off surfaces while recovering radioactive waste with a suction spout. The company said it hopes to deploy the robot at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in Japan this summer. The Mainichi (Japan)/Kyodo News (3/9)

SmartQuote

The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be."

--Socrates,
Greek philosopher

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