|  | | The latest information about advanced nuclear energy is now a mouse click away.
The Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) just unveiled Milestones in Advanced Nuclear, an interactive website that provides the latest news in the U.S. nuclear power industry. GAIN is industry's gateway into the national labs. Now GAIN is also the gateway into nuclear news.
“Advanced nuclear has been building momentum over the past five years and it is getting difficult to stay current with the latest developments from all facets of our industry," GAIN Director Christine King said. “The website offers a concise description of each item, and why this milestone is important and links to the most recent news for that item."
The milestones were developed with the help of more than 100 people across the U.S. representing the nuclear energy industry, utility executives, and lawmakers.
“This website is a great tool to see our progress as an industry," said Peter Hastings, vice president of Kairos Power, an advanced nuclear reactor developer. “It is extremely helpful to show not only our company's progress but also that of other advanced reactor developers as well as the industry as a whole. This website makes it easy to see the immense opportunity advanced nuclear represents for our clean energy future.".  READ ENTIRE ARTICLE
| 9/9/2021 | |  | | WASHINGTON – The U.S.
Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA)
announced the rollout of U.S. Nuclear Nexus (http://www.anl.gov/nuclear-nexus),
a tool designed to foster timely connections between NNSA and the U.S. nuclear
industry on the global deployment of advanced nuclear technology on August 17.
Nexus will act as a single point of access for NNSA and DOE National Laboratory
recommendations, training, tools, and other relevant technical expertise and
guidance on nonproliferation.
Read More
| 8/17/2021 | | | | The Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) announced today that two nuclear companies will be provided GAIN Nuclear Energy (NE) Vouchers to accelerate the innovation and application of advanced nuclear technologies. NE vouchers provide advanced nuclear technology innovators with access to the extensive nuclear research capabilities and expertise available across the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory complex. This is the third set of awards in FY 2021.
The business selected to receive GAIN nuclear energy vouchers for Round 3 FY 2021 are: Engineered Soulutions Group LLC - Brevard, NC and Vega Wave Systems, Inc. - West Chicago, IL. READ ENTIRE ANNOUNCEMENT
| 6/10/2021 | |  | | In Service Inspection is a major challenge to consider for future Generation IV
Reactors safety. Therefore, a large focus of R&D work has been performed since
2010 in France for the Sodium Fast Reactor systems (SFR), mainly dedicated to
the inspection of reactor block structures, primary components and circuits, and
Power Conversion System main components (Heat Exchangers). In Service
Inspection requirements have to be taken into account since the early preconceptual design phase, then consolidated through the basic design phase with
more detailed specifications leading to increase the inspection tools ability for
immersed sodium structures of SFRs, at about 200°C (shut down conditions).
Inspection within the main vessel should be performed either with transducers
immersed in sodium (with associated in sodium robotics) and with transducers
located out of sodium medium. Nondestructive Examination, Telemetry and
Imaging are qualified with experimental in-water and then in-sodium testing, using
ultrasonic transducers. Experimental results are then compared to simulations
using French CIVA software platform results. Repair was also part of this program,
with laser system development. This webinar provides a technical overview of this
ISI&R program that involves specific international collaborations done through
GENIV mainly. Of course, it also benefits to other Gen4 systems.
Register NOW at: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8593664549162869259
Printable Copy
| 6/8/2021 | | | | The development of critical design criteria for new advanced reactor systems, components, and materials requires an understanding of both fabrication and the irradiation environment during normal operating and accident conditions. Next-generation researchers and designers are therefore challenged not only by demands for improved performance, they must also work to shorten the development and commercialization lifecycle for new nuclear reactors and systems to remain competitive. This provides unique and exciting opportunities for all contributors to this field of study. This presentation will offer a strategic overview of the impact that advanced manufacturing has on the lifecycle of new generation reactors. By evaluating state-of-the-art practices found in other large manufacturing industries, this presentation provides an overview of major innovation areas that are considered to benefit the GEN-IV systems (SFR, GFR, LFR, FSMR...). Synergetic advanced manufacturing approaches beneficial to the collective GEN-IV systems, with some examples of differentiating approaches necessary for specific reactor designs, are discussed. Furthermore, new paradigms in licensing approaches for additively manufactured parts will be discussed. REGISTER HERE
Printable Flyer | 5/13/2021 | |  | | Application Deadline for Cycle 2021-1 of the Industry Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to be Extended from April 30, 2021 to May 28, 2021
The Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) continues to evaluate its fiscal year (FY) 2021 appropriations to determine impacts on and priorities for its various research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) programs. However, due to shifting priorities within the Department in response to the Congressionally-initiated Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program and the need to support multiple high profile commitments, combined with near-term uncertainties due to the ongoing administration and leadership transition, NE has determined that it is in the best interest of both the advanced reactor technology development community and the Government to extend the application due date for Cycle 2021-1 for the Industry FOA from April 30, 2021 to May 28, 2021. Official notification of this date extension has been issued via Amendment 011 to U.S. Industry Opportunities for Advanced Nuclear Technology Development Funding Opportunity Number: DE-FOA-0001817. https://www.id.energy.gov/NEWS/FOA/FOAOpportunities/FOA.htm. At this time, NE anticipates executing two Industry FOA award cycles during FY 2021. As soon as possible following this notification, NE will update its estimate of FY 2021 funds available for Industry FOA awards via a question and answer (Q&A) update posted to the Industry FOA webpage. Such funds will be maximized to the extent practical, while balancing NE requirements for industry, university, national laboratory, and cross-cutting RD&D and support of enabling capabilities.
| 4/22/2021 | | | | The Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) announced today that three nuclear companies will be provided GAIN Nuclear Energy (NE) Vouchers to accelerate the innovation and application of advanced nuclear technologies. NE vouchers provide advanced nuclear technology innovators with access to the extensive nuclear research capabilities and expertise available across the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory complex. This is the first set of awards in FY 2021. The businesses selected to receive GAIN nuclear energy vouchers for Round 2 FY 2021 are: Lightbridge Corp. - Reston, VA, Oklo Inc. - Sunnyvale, CA, Radiant - El Segundo, CA
READ ENTIRE ANNOUNCEMENT
| 3/25/2021 | |  | | GAIN Energy Calculator By the year 2050, we need to dramatically change the way we produce and consume energy if we are to achieve a number of key targets. We must also consider the implications of those energy choices. The GAIN Energy Calculator will allow state, local, and federal policy makers, students, researchers, and other interested stakeholders to visualize and model their policy changes and see real-world results based on validated science.
Click here and try it out.
| 3/25/2021 | |  | | The U.S. Senate today confirmed Jennifer Granholm as U.S. Secretary of Energy. Secretary Granholm is the former Attorney General and Governor of Michigan.
READ MORE
| 2/25/2021 | |  | |
INL News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 24, 2021 NEWS MEDIA CONTACTS:
Donna Kemp Spangler, 208-716-5113, donna.kempspangler@inl.gov
Sarah Neumann, 208-526-0490, sarah.neumann@inl.gov New webinar series explores carbon-free choices IDAHO FALLS, Idaho – What does it mean to be carbon-free? This central question will be explored in a new Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) webinar series, “Shaping our Carbon-Free Future,” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. MST on March 2, 2021. The webinar will examine the magnitude of the carbon-free challenge, what it means, and potential pathways to reducing both individuals’ and the nation’s carbon footprint. This event will unveil the GAIN Energy Calculator, an interactive tool that lets users create their own energy pathway, revealing the trade-offs of their choices when making energy-wise decisions. “We are bringing together the best and brightest minds behind achieving clean energy goals from a variety of perspectives,” said Christine King, director of GAIN. The keynote speaker is Zeke Hausfather of The Breakthrough Institute. Andy Worrall, deputy director of GAIN, will introduce the GAIN Energy Calculator, with technical presentations from leading experts in the field. Shaping our Carbon-Free Future 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. MST; 1 to 4 p.m. EST, March 2, 2021 Register Here
For more information, visit the GAIN website, gain.inl.gov. Visit us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. About INL: INL is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory that performs work in each of DOE’s strategic goal areas: energy, national security, science and environment. INL is the nation’s center for nuclear energy research and development. Day-to-day management and operation of the laboratory is the responsibility of Battelle Energy Alliance. See more INL news at www.inl.gov. Follow us on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. —INL-21-017—
| 2/24/2021 | | | | WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has extended the public review and comment period for the Draft Versatile Test Reactor Environmental Impact Statement (DOE/EIS-0542) through March 2, 2021. DOE issued the Draft Versatile Test Reactor (VTR) EIS for public review and comment on December 21, 2020. The Draft document identifies Idaho National Laboratory (INL) as DOE’s preferred location for the VTR. DOE’s VTR is a proposed sodium-cooled fast-neutron-spectrum test reactor that will enhance and accelerate research, development, and demonstration of innovative nuclear energy technologies. The public is encouraged to review and comment on the Draft VTR EIS. Written comments on the Draft VTR EIS should be sent by email to VTR.EIS@nuclear.energy.gov, or by mail to Mr. James Lovejoy, Document Manager, at: U.S. Department of Energy, Idaho Operations Office, 1955 Fremont Avenue, MS 1235, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83415. The Draft VTR EIS is available for review at the DOE Nuclear Energy website or the DOE National Environmental Policy Act website. The Department will make a final decision regarding the VTR following the completion and publication of a Final EIS and a Record of Decision.
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| 2/24/2021 | | | | Currently, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) stores ~90 million gallons of radioactive and hazardous waste in ~230 underground tanks at Hanford and Savannah River. At Hanford, approximately 20 million gallons of that waste is in a liquid form (supematant), approximately 10 million gallons is in the form of insoluble sludge materials and the remainder is in a partially soluble solid fform referred to as saltcake. Treatment and immobilization of the tank waste into a glass waste is planned with the Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) being the principal plant where this will be accomplished. This webinar focuses on the integrated flowsheet that encompasses storage, retrieval, pretreatment, immobilization, and disposal. The major emphasis or focal point will be the vitrification with respect to: 1) Troublesome waste componenets and their impact on glass formulation/operations; 2) Critical process and products performance properties (why and how they are measured); 3) Process control strategies and use/impact of glass models/algorithms; 4) Relationship between acceptable glass compositional regions and operation flexibility; 5) Significant advancements in glass formulation and the impact on the flowsheet/operations; 6) Operational lessons learned.
REGISTER HERE dr._peeler_flyer_feb_25_2021.pdf | 2/15/2021 | | | | Idaho Falls, Idaho - The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the start of a 14-day public review and comment period on a draft environmental assessment for a proposal to construct the Microreactor Applications Research Validation & Evaluation (MARVEL) project microreactor inside Idaho National Laboratory's (INL's) Transient Reactor Test Facility.
The MARVEL design is a sodium-potassium-cooled, thermal microreactor with a power level of less than 100 kilowatts of electricity using High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU).
READ MORE
| 1/12/2021 | | | | PALO
ALTO, Calif., Jan. 12, 2021 The Electric Power
Research Institute (EPRI) today announced Dr. Rita Baranwal as its
new Vice President of Nuclear Energy and Chief Nuclear Officer.
Baranwal succeeds Neil Wilmshurst, who was promoted to Senior Vice
President of Energy System Resources in November.
Baranwal most recently served as the U.S. Energy Department's Assistant
Secretary for its Office of Nuclear Energy, where she managed DOE's portfolio
of nuclear research for existing and advanced reactors and new designs.
Prior to that role, Baranwal directed the Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in
Nuclear (GAIN) initiative at Idaho National Laboratory. Under her leadership,
GAIN positively impacted over 120 companies with state-of-the-art R&D
expertise, capabilities, and infrastructure that supported faster,
cost-effective development, demonstration, and ultimate deployment of
innovative nuclear energy technologies.
READ MORE
| 1/12/2021 | | | | The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will hold two webcast public hearings to present information and accept comments on the Draft Versatile Test Reactor Environmental Impact Statement (VTR EIS). DOE is hosting internet-based public hearings in place of in-person hearings due to ongoing public health concerns. The proposed VTR would be a sodium-cooled, fast-neutron-spectrum test reactor that will enhance and accelerate research, development, and demonstration of innovative nuclear energy technologies. The Draft VTR EIS, prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), analyzes potential impacts of the VTR alternatives and options for reactor fuel production. The Draft VTR EIS evaluates: (1) Construction and operation of the VTR at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) or the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This includes operating and performing experiments in the VTR, post-irradiation examination of irradiated test specimens in hot cell facilities, and spent fuel conditioning and storage pending offsite shipment; (2) Production of fuel for the VTR at INL and/or the Savannah River Site, including preparing feedstock for the fuel, fabricating fuel pins, and assembling the fuel pins into reactor fuel; and (3) A no-action alternative under which DOE would not pursue the construction and operation of a VTR.
READ MORE | 1/11/2021 | | | | Today,
knowledge on MOX fuel behavior in fast neutron reactors comes mainly from
feedback on SFRs that have operated in the past in Europe, USA, Japan and are
still in service in Russia, India and China. The GENERATION-IV systems (SFR,
GFR, LFR, FSMR...) with the associated fuel cycle strategy have been chosen to
face the requirements of safety, non-proliferation, sustainability and waste
minimization. This completion is possible thanks to the flexibility of fast
neutron systems: they offer the possibility of using plutonium and uranium
coming from spent fuel, making the best use of resources while reducing waste.
Thus (U,Pu)O2 has proved to be the most ready candidate to achieve these
performances in reactor and during the fuel cycle. Mox fuel is suitable for
example for multirecycling, isogeneration, burning or breeding plutonium
through adjustment of Pu concentration. Taking into account a wide range of
fuel composition (Pu content: 20 to 45%), irradiation conditions and applying
the safety criteria, we will present the state of the art on MOX fuel for GENIV
systems with respect to knowledge and qualification. The knowledge on
(U,Pu)O2 will be presented under the aspects of material properties and fuel
behavior under irradiation with post irradiation examinations and modelling.
The methodology of MOX qualification will be will be detailed with TRL
(Technological Readiness Level) scale evaluation and the need to extend the
qualification area in order to cover all design, composition and situations
described above.
REGISTER HERE
nathalie_chauvin_flyer_jan_2021.pdf
| 1/5/2021 | |  | | GAIN's director Christine King has been on the job for 10 months. Rita Baranwal, who used to run GAIN, was named assistant secretary of energy for nuclear energy last year. "We help people find the right other people," King said of GAIN. "As you know, there are a lot of stakeholders in this business. And if you're new to it, it can be hard to know who to talk to." READ MORE
| 1/4/2021 | | | | The Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) announced today that three
nuclear companies will be provided GAIN Nuclear Energy (NE) Vouchers to accelerate the
innovation and application of advanced nuclear technologies. NE vouchers provide
advanced nuclear technology innovators with access to the extensive nuclear research
capabilities and expertise available across the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national
laboratory complex. This is the first set of awards in FY 2021.
The businesses selected to receive GAIN nuclear energy vouchers for Round 1 FY 2021 are: Exelon Generation - Kennett Square, PA, TerraPower, LLC - Bellevue, WA, and Westinghouse Electric Company, LLC - Columbia, SC.
READ ENTIRE ANNOUNCEMENT
| 12/21/2020 | | | | Flows in opaque systems can present a significant challenge to experimental
investigators. Understanding flow phenomena in reactor components often relies on
the use of simulation, as well as experiments using surrogate materials and fluids to
allow optical access. Positron emission particle tracking (PEPT) is a radiotracer-based
technique that uses the same technology as the medical imaging platform PET (positron
emission tomography). As such, PEPT can be used to directly study flows in opaque
systems. The research focus has been on the development and deployment of new PEPT
reconstruction algorithms that allow the simultaneous tracking of multiple tracers,
increasing data collection efficiency and enabling new measurements. Herein Dr.
Wiggins will discuss the basics of PEPT, as well as its utility for measurements in pipes,
heat exchangers, and pebble beds, among other systems. The data gleaned from such
experiments can be used for both fundamental understanding of flow phenomena and
validation of the computational fluid dynamics models being used for next generation
reactor design.
REGISTER HERE
| 12/8/2020 | | | | Neutrinos were first conceived of in a desperate ploy to save the conservation of energy in
nuclear beta decay. From a nuclear engineering perspective, they are an ever present but
ultimately inconsequential by-products of nuclear fission. But to particle physicists, nuclear
reactors are an essential and extraordinarily bright source of neutrinos, which are responsible for
some of the most important advancements of the last 70 years, from the discovery of the
neutrino at the Savannah River’s P reactor in 1956, through current times when reactors are used
as the source for studies of neutrino fundamental properties.
Advances in neutrino detector technology and a recent finding that neutrinos can be used to track
the production of plutonium in the core have made it possible for particle physicists to
contemplate giving back to the nuclear industry. As a new type of non-invasive instrumentation,
neutrino detectors may, for example, have a role to play in non-proliferation safeguard regimes,
particularly for advanced reactors. Ultimately, the potential of neutrino applications can only be
properly assessed in a collaborative effort between particle physicists and nuclear engineers.
This webinar will review the discoveries and other major advances in neutrino physics that have
been enabled by nuclear reactors, and explore the ways that neutrino detectors may be used to
monitor reactors or as reactor instrumentation.
REGISTER HERE | 11/5/2020 | | | | WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced it has selected two U.S.-based teams to receive $160 million in initial funding under the new Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP). ARDP, announced in May, is designed to help domestic private industry demonstrate advanced nuclear reactors in the United States.
DOE is awarding TerraPower LLC (Bellevue, WA) and X-energy (Rockville, MD) $80 million each in initial funding to build two advanced nuclear reactors that can be operational within seven years. The awards are cost-shared partnerships with industry that will deliver two first-of-a-kind advanced reactors to be licensed for commercial operations. The Department will invest a total of $3.2 billion over seven years, subject to the availability of future appropriations, with our industry partners providing matching funds.
READ ENTIRE ARTICLE
| 10/13/2020 | | | | WASHINGTON, D.C. – – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced funding for three domestic projects that will accelerate advanced nuclear technology development. These projects, valued at $26.9 million including industry cost-share contributions, will allow industry-led teams to advance the state of domestic commercial nuclear capability. Two awards will advance flexible operation of light-water reactors with integrated hydrogen production systems. The third will leverage the modeling and simulation capabilities developed from the DOE Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) program and Energy Innovation Hub for Modeling & Simulation (Hub). The awards are through the Office of Nuclear Energy’s (NE) funding opportunity announcement (FOA) U.S. Industry Opportunities for Advanced Nuclear Technology Development, in collaboration with the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s (EERE) Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office for the hydrogen-related selections. Subsequent application reviews and selection processes will be conducted through December 2022, as supported by Congressional appropriations.
READ ENTIRE ARTICLE
| 10/8/2020 | | | | Small and micro-scale modular reactors have received considerable attention for their potential to
reduce costs, load follow and meet electricity needs in places where the size of conventional reactor
technologies is unwarranted. This small scale is particularly relevant in the developing world where
large centralized grids are uncommon and the need for electricity is considerable. More than
1 billion people globally are currently estimated to live without access to any electricity. The
Agenda for Sustainable Development calls for reliable, affordable and clean energy for all people
by 2030, creating an additional imperative for rapid low carbon technological deployment. This talk
will present a novel market analysis of near-term energy demand. We use state-of-the-art satellite
imagery to identify regions with no night-time light as a proxy for electricity poverty, and ambient
population to determine the number of persons in these regions. GIS is used to create
corresponding maps showing the capacity needed to provide this degree of electricity as a function
of location if only micro and mini-grids are available. Additional considerations including resilience
to natural hazards, siting considerations and competitive technologies are discussed.
READ MORE
| 10/1/2020 | |  | | This Request for Information (RFI) is intended to gather information on the various micro-reactor
technology options available for fixed-site applications only and to survey commercial stakeholders
interested in the potential to finance, construct, install, operate, and own a micro-reactor for the
notional requirements outlined in this RFI. It should be noted that while this RFI is focused on fixedsite applications, there may be cases where micro-reactor technology developed for mobile
applications provides the capabilities required for fixed-site applications. The responses to this request
will provide important information and insights for the Government’s potential pursuit of a microreactor pilot program.
READ MORE
DLA Energy Request for Information – Air Force OEA: Micro Reactor Pilot Program
| 9/22/2020 | | | | The Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) announced today that three
nuclear companies will be provided GAIN Nuclear Energy (NE) Vouchers to accelerate the
innovation and application of advanced nuclear technologies. NE vouchers provide
advanced nuclear technology innovators with access to the extensive nuclear research
capabilities and expertise available across the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national
laboratory complex. This is the fourth set of awards in FY 2020.
The businesses selected to receive GAIN nuclear energy vouchers for Round 4 FY 2020 are: Kairos Power - Alameda, CA, Natura Resouces, LLC - Abilene, TX, TerraPower, LLC - Bellevue, WA READ ENTIRE ANNOUNCEMENT
| 9/16/2020 | | | | Many cities, states, utilities, and public commissions are setting energy standards that aim to reduce carbon
emissions. In order to realize a clean and resilient energy future, new methods of energy production,
distribution, and use will be required. The primary focus of the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE) Program
on Integrated Energy Systems, led by researchers at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), has been to assess the
potential of integrated energy systems to enhance the flexibility and utilization of nuclear reactors alongside
renewable generators and, thereby, to maximize the use of the clean energy provided by these systems. This
work begins with the question: “What goals are we trying to achieve, and how will the produced energy be
used?” These questions must be addressed within the context of a specific deployment location, which has
implications relative to the electricity market structure, supply, and demand; available feedstock for industrial
processes; and available product markets. Product streams, ranging from potable water to hydrogen, fertilizer,
synthetic fuels, and various chemicals, have been considered. Each product stream has its own market and
market drivers and its own geographic location that would maximize profitability. Some of these products
would only require electricity to support production, while others require both thermal and electrical energy.
This webinar highlights work led by INL, in collaboration with other national laboratories and industry partners,
to evaluate integrated energy system options that utilize nuclear energy in new ways. By working with key
collaborators in the nuclear industry, these analytical studies are now becoming a reality in demonstration
projects.
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| 9/15/2020 | | | | Kemal Pasamehmetoglu is known for being both innovative and candid. So, looking
back to when the Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) was founded
in December 2015, he readily acknowledges that “in the first seven to eight months,
we tried to define what GAIN really meant.” There were numerous meetings with Department of Energy (DOE) program
managers, a roadshow to national laboratories, emphasizing how they could be part
of the program, and discussions with private industry about GAIN’s potential benefits. “We needed to determine how to best line up the existing programs and be helpful,”
Pasamehmetoglu, GAIN’s first director, said. There was a focus to ensure the “being
helpful” metric applied to every corner of the nuclear community, especially private
reactor developers. GAIN has been highly successful at being helpful. In being broadly understood, not so
much. READ MORE
| 9/10/2020 | |  | | WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), along with Sens. Mike Braun (R-IN) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) sent a letter to Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Chairman Kristine Svinicki applauding the commission for initiating development of a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) for advanced reactors. The senators also called on the commission to broaden the scope of the proposed generic environmental impact statement to make the document easier to use. The letter also requests the commission to consider actions to improve the environmental permitting of advanced reactors. In the letter, the senators request the NRC align the proposal with the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act (NEIMA). NEIMA requires the NRC to establish a regulatory framework for the NRC to license and utilities to deploy advanced nuclear technologies that reflects safer and smaller reactor designs. This will help nuclear innovators have a predictable and efficient regulatory process.
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| 7/24/2020 | |  | | Battelle Energy Alliance seeks industry partners to design nuclear power system for moon
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho – Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA), the managing and operating contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory (INL), is seeking information from leaders in the nuclear and space industries to develop innovative technologies for a fission surface power (FSP) system that can be operated on the moon. The request for information can be viewed here. Responses are sought by Sept. 8. After receiving responses, INL will issue a request for proposal.Sponsored by NASA in collaboration with the Department of the Energy and INL, the request for information seeks partnership on technologies and approaches to test and validate an FSP design that can be built and deployed on the moon, and used for subsequent missions such as to Mars.READ MORE
| 7/24/2020 | |  | | U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today thanked her colleagues for supporting the inclusion of S. 903, her Nuclear Energy Leadership Act (NELA), in S. 4049, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021. The Senate today passed the NDAA bill, with NELA incorporated by amendment, by a vote of 86 to 14.
“For too long, the United States has lagged woefully behind on innovative nuclear energy technologies, which comes at great cost to our economy, our global leadership, and the environment,” Murkowski said. “The Department of Defense is a logical first customer for advanced reactors, especially the microreactors currently under development, which can be deployed to remote regions. Nuclear energy can also provide safe, clean, and affordable power to homes, schools, and businesses that traditionally rely on more costly energy sources.”
READ MORE
| 7/23/2020 |
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