The U.S. Nuclear Infrastructure Council (USNIC) reiterated its strong support for maintaining the Energy Policy Act of 2005 Title XVII funding for advanced nuclear loan guarantees in a letter to key U.S. Senate and House appropriators as legislators begin final discussions on reconciling their respective bills...
The U.S. Nuclear Infrastructure Council has outlined 65 federal government positions over 15 departments, agencies and commissions as "critical positions" for the nuclear energy industry in the Trump Administration. The list includes the Departments of Energy, Commerce, State and Interior as well as the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, National Nuclear Security Administration, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Office of the President. The Nuclear Energy "Critical Positions" roster includes three new proposed positions -- a Special Envoy for Nuclear Energy in the Office of the President along with restoration of a stand-alone Director of Nuclear Energy Policy at the National Security Council and a Special Envoy for Nonproliferation at the Department of State. The Director of Nuclear Energy Policy position was terminated by the National Security Council in July. The "Critical Positions" list was developed in consultation with the USNIC Special Transition Task Force. While the list represents the consensus views of the Council, it does not necessarily reflect the individual views of special member companies.
The U.S. Nuclear Infrastructure Council (USNIC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCI). The MOU was signed by Mr. Robert Wilson, Chairman of USNIC, and Dr. Ron Oberth, President and CEO of OCI, at the close of the two-day Special Summit on Global Nuclear Energy Markets in Washington, DC on July 12 and 13 organized by USNIC... This USNIC-OCI MOU outlines several ways that USNIC and OCI can work together including identifying nuclear project opportunities in the USA, Canada, and other countries on which OCI and USNIC members can bring their complementary capabilities in achieving good project outcomes. The USNIC-OCI MOU will also facilitate collaboration and innovation among U.S. nuclear and Canadian nuclear suppliers and research organizations in furthering the development and deployment of advanced reactors and small modular reactors.
Two leading global nuclear business consortiums -- the Nuclear Industry Association of Turkey (NIATR) and the U.S. Nuclear Infrastructure Council (USNIC) -- have executed a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding to develop cooperative activities between the nuclear industries of the two countries.
High Bridge Associates, Inc. performed an assessment of technical parameters and estimated costs for the US DOE surplus plutonium disposition program for the WIPP and MOX alternatives. This included an analysis of the adequacy of the WIPP to accept significant quantities of surplus weapons plutonium in addition to those legacy transuranic (TRU) wastes already committed for storage in the repository… A series of safety and regulatory concerns were identified for the DOE/NNSA plan to store tons of plutonium not originally planned for emplacement in the WIPP repository. The most serious concern is that the plutonium packaging endorsed by the DOE will be crushed over time as the salt chambers in WIPP close up, creating a high likelihood of an uncontrolled criticality.
Washington DC -- Former U.S. NRC Commissioner Jeffrey S. Merrifield called for a comprehensive new framework for Advanced Reactor licensing reform in an issue brief outlined at the National Press Club today (2/23/16). Merrifield, who served two terms with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, chairs the Advanced Reactors Task Force of the U.S. Nuclear Infrastructure Council...
As the Congress moves to develop consensus on FY2016 appropriations beyond the present Continuing Resolution, it remains crystal clear that urgent action is needed to re-establish a comprehensive program to manage the Nation’s growing inventories of spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste – as well as to provide a path forward for the backend of the fuel cycle for the present fleet and pave the way for new nuclear energy plants required for U.S. energy independence...
High Bridge Associates, Inc. (High Bridge) performed an Independent Review of the Department of Energy’s Aerospace April 13, 2015 LCCE Report TOR-2015-01848 Plutonium Disposition Study Options Independent Assessment. The purpose of this review was to provide an objective analysis of the approach/process used by Aerospace, and of the results contained in its Assessment of the April 2014 Plutonium Working Group (PWG) Report of Disposition Options for the MOX Option and Dilute and Dispose Option Life Cycle Cost Estimates (LCCE). High Bridge performed an additional independent Review of the August 13, 2015 DOE Red Team Final Report of Plutonium Disposition Options. This September 21, 2015 document is the independent review of the Red Team report. Links to the final report, executive summary (note that is does not address the Red Team response which was written beforehand) and response to the MOX Red Team are below.
High Bridge Associates, Inc. (High Bridge) performed an Independent Review of the Department of Energy’s Aerospace April 13, 2015 LCCE Report TOR-2015-01848 Plutonium Disposition Study Options Independent Assessment. The purpose of this High Bridge task was to provide an objective analysis of the approach/process used by Aerospace, and of the results contained in its Assessment of the April 2014 Plutonium Working Group (PWG) Report of Disposition Options for the Option 1 MOX Fuel Project and Option 4 Downblend Life Cycle Cost Estimates (LCCE). Links to the final report and executive summary are below.
The U.S. Nuclear Infrastructure Council (USNIC) has advised the Senate Committee on Armed Services’ leadership of its “vigorous opposition” to pending amendments to the NDAA adding new regulations for nuclear exports to certain countries with naval propulsion programs.
The U.S. Nuclear Infrastructure Council (USNIC) was tapped for a 17-company U.S. delegation to the Second Japan-U.S. Decommissioning and Remediation Fukushima Recovery Forum held in Tokyo on April 9-10, 2015.
The U.S. Nuclear Infrastructure Council (USNIC) has been named the American Pavilion sponsor and a co-organizer for the third annual Asia Nuclear Business Platform to be held April 23rd and 24th, 2015 at the Asia World Expo in Hong Kong.
USNIC Statement on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee's (EPW) potential consideration of the nomination of Jeffery M. Baran without a full hearing to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for a term ending June 30, 2018.
Huntington Ingalls Industries showcased its nuclear capabilities to a USNIC nuclear supply chain industry delegation during a tour of the company's Newport News Shipbuilding division on Thursday, Nov. 6.
Special Session Caps WNE USA Pavilion Activities - A USA Pavilion-led session focusing on American nuclear energy technology development was among the featured highlights of the inaugural gathering of key international nuclear energy principals at the World Nuclear Exhibition (WNE). The U.S. session was sponsored by the U.S. Nuclear Infrastructure Council (USNIC). It included reports on Plant Vogtle new build; Gen 3+ and small reactor developments; and the MOX Fuel Fabrication Facility.
Regarding the release by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) of the pivotal Volume 3 Safety Evaluation Report on repository safety after permanent closure pertinent to the U.S. Department of Energy’s pending license application for the operation of Yucca Mountain as the Nation’s national repository for commercial fuel and high-level waste.
The U.S. Nuclear Infrastructure Council-led (USNIC) USA Pavilion at the World Nuclear Exhibition 2014 (WNE) in Paris hit the ground running at the inaugural global gathering of key international players in the nuclear energy community.
The U.S. Nuclear Infrastructure Council's (NIC) generic supply chain mapping campaign for small modular reactors (SMRs) will be featured at a special session on Tuesday, October 7, in conjunction with the 2nd ATI Nuclear Supply Chain Summit in Birmingham, Alabama.
The U.S. Nuclear Infrastructure Council (NIC) has deployed a campaign to develop a generic supply chain map enveloped from available design concept information from member company small modular reactor (SMR) designers.
Last week, EPA held public meetings around the country on its recently proposed Clean Power Plan (CPP) that seeks to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from fossil plants by 30 percent by 2030 relative to 2005 levels. While the EPA proposed Clean Power Plan recognizes nuclear energy’s potential contribution in providing zero-emission generation, the EPA Clean Power Plan does not do enough to incorporate a strong role for nuclear energy in achieving future CO2 emission reductions.
