The cost of decarbonization of the nation's electricity sector through a carbon tax policy could be reduced by up to 67% if nuclear power remains in the energy mix, according to a Massachusetts Institute of Technology study. "Under the carbon pricing policy we represent, it could well pay to invest further in the existing nuclear fleet to re-license and extend the life of these plants, assuming they can meet safety requirements," notes the report.

A technical meeting scheduled for Dec. 9-13 in Vienna and sponsored by the International Atomic Energy Agency will highlight the opportunities and challenges of social media for outreach to the public and nuclear stakeholders. IAEA plans to use the findings of the meeting to update its online Nuclear Communicator's Toolbox.

Hanford Mission Integration Solutions has been awarded a five-year, $4 billion contract by the federal government to provide the Hanford Nuclear Reservation near Richland, Washington, with security, firefighting, land management, roads and other services. Two other Department of Energy contracts at Hanford have also received bids.

Acting Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette said in an interview that countries developing nuclear power should commit to peaceful use of the technology. "We would prefer if a country is going to pursue civilian nuclear power that they buy it from the United States (because) it comes with certain restrictions: You have to join the treaty and be part of the club . . . and promise to never to use this to develop a weapon," said Brouillette.

Terrestrial Energy's small modular Integral Molten Salt Reactor has been chosen by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission for the agencies' first joint technical review of the technology for an advanced, non-light-water nuclear reactor.

Russia's Iceberg Central Design Bureau has designed a multifunctional ship that will supply technology services including nuclear waste removal to icebreakers and other floating nuclear reactor installations along the Northern Sea Route. The ship's construction is expected to take five years to complete.

South Korea is looking to export more of its APR-1400 advanced pressurized water nuclear reactors to other countries following the purchase of four of the units by the United Arab Emirates. The Asian country, which has received certificates from European and US organizations, says the reactors have a life span of 60 years and can withstand a 7.0 magnitude earthquake.

Russian state-run TVEL has suspended its work to convert Iran's Fordow nuclear complex into a medical radioactive isotopes facility in order to avoid penalties after a US joint venture waiver was canceled. TVEL has been working on the project since 2017.

The January issue of Nuclear News will include feature articles focused on the work and research of national laboratories. If your company or organization has a product or service, conference or event, employment opportunity or academic/training course to promote to the nuclear community, reserve your ad space in the January issue by Dec. 16. Learn more.