Proponents of the Byron nuclear power plant in Byron, Ill., are urging local residents to reach out to lawmakers in support of the plant before the end of this legislative session. The plant, which employs 3,500 workers, is scheduled to close in September because it can't compete with fossil fuel-driven facilities.

Researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have found that highly diluted chromium ions can come together to form clusters in high-temperature ionic liquids. ORNL researcher Alexander Ivanov says the discovery could lead to ways to prevent corrosion of the alloy by molten salts in MSRs.

William Magwood, director-general of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development's Nuclear Energy Agency, told an online forum that more countries are taking a look at nuclear power to supplement renewable energy sources as an option to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

Jill Hruby, President Joe Biden's nominee to lead the National Nuclear Security Administration, told a Senate committee that plans to accelerate plutonium pit production to 80 per year by 2030 should continue despite problems at the Savannah River Site facility. Hruby said pit production expansion is the "biggest issue" the NNSA faces.

The Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has discovered a way to use a centrifuge processing system to separate, monitor and control ratios of uranium and plutonium from spent nuclear power fuel. "This technology is cost-efficient and enables incredible opportunities to develop and advance recycling approaches," said PNNL chemist Amanda Lines.

UK nuclear technology firm Penultimate Power plans to work with the Japanese Atomic Energy Agency to develop a Generation IV high temperature gas-cooled reactor for industrial use.

Sweden-based WSP is working with engineering firms Golder and Amberg to develop expansion plans for the short-lived radioactive waste repository in Forsmark, owned by nuclear waste management firm Svensk Karnbranslehantering. Six more storage halls will be added to the underground facility.

Held in conjunction with the ANS Annual Meeting, the 12th Nuclear Plant Instrumentation, Control and Human-Machine Interface Technologies (NPIC&HMIT) takes place virtually June 14-17. Prior to the meeting, two training courses are being offered on June 12 and 13. The courses are designed for technical and management personnel in utilities, vendors, government, national labs and universities to learn the basics of nuclear power plant digital I&C qualification and the licensing process. Attendees can participate in one or both of the courses. Learn more.

In observance of Memorial Day in the US, SmartBrief will not publish Monday. Publication will resume on Tuesday.