As a knowledge manager for the 2018 Utility Working Conference, I had many opportunities to interact with nuclear utility leaders. The discussions often centered around finding innovative ways to sustain the existing fleet of nuclear plants by improving plant economics.
Westinghouse’s ADOPT 6-percent enriched U fuel nears U.S. deployment
Westinghouse Electric Company announced on March 14 that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved the use of the company’s Advanced Doped Pellet Technology (ADOPT) fuel pellets in U.S....
Senate hearing focuses on securing the entire U.S. nuclear fuel cycle
“Right now, our country is deficient in nearly every aspect of the fuel cycle. This must change and it must change quickly,” said Sen. Joe Manchin (D., W.V.), chairman of the Senate...
Locked in glass: The vitrification of LLW streams
Using GeoMelt ICV technology to treat and immobilize problematic low-level wastes at INL and WCS.
When it comes to managing nuclear waste, technology is transforming the way some of the most problematic waste is handled. The idea to transform nuclear waste into glass was developed back in...
Lightbridge fuel rods could outperform MOX in plutonium disposition
Lightbridge Corporation, which is continuing to work closely with national laboratories on the manufacture and testing of its metallic fuel rod designs for light water reactors, just announced...
Orano to supply used fuel casks to Swiss nuclear power plant
Orano Group subsidiary Orano NPS announced that Swiss electrical utility Axpo has selected the company to provide its TN Eagle used nuclear fuel casks over the entire operating period of the...
Senate nuclear fuel bill targets “all viable options” for LEU and HALEU supply
The bipartisan Nuclear Fuel Security Act (NFSA), introduced in the Senate last week, would authorize the Department of Energy to establish a Nuclear Fuel Security Program to “ensure a...
ANS recommends updates to repository standards, asks for feedback
While still lacking a deep geological repository for the permanent disposal of its commercial used nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste, the United States does have regulatory...
Court throws out New Mexico’s challenge to ISP’s SNF storage facility
Citing a lack of jurisdiction, the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver has dismissed a petition by the state of New Mexico challenging the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s licensing...
Centrus completes HALEU enrichment cascade construction
Centrus Energy announced February 9 that it has finished assembling a cascade of uranium enrichment centrifuges and most of the associated support systems ahead of its contracted demonstration...
Court dismisses challenges to Texas SNF storage facility
A federal appeals court rejected a lawsuit brought by environmental groups challenging the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s licensing of a consolidated interim storage facility (CISF) for...
