ANS Nuclear Cafe

ANS Hurricane Nuclear Watch for

Projected path of Hurricane Irene 8/26-28/2011

1700 HRS Aug. 26, 2011-Nuclear energy facilities are prepared to safely withstand high winds and heavy rain as the eastern United States braces for Hurricane Irene to make landfall this weekend.

Dominion's North Anna Power Station Restores Offsite Power

A 5.8 magnitude earthquake (USGS data) shook much of the east coast at 1:51 PM eastern time today. Dominion's North Anna reactors went off line safely and are on emergency power using four diesel generators.  (See full text of NRC press release below)

Editor: Dan Yurman

It's the Dog Days of Summer (at least by some definitions).

Box Scores

The utility's board of directors will spend $4 billion-$5 billion completing the 1,260 MW reactor

Curbing domestic oil use is a key driver

Victor Francis Hess was awarded a Nobel Prize in physics for discovering "cosmic rays." Hess did some of his research in a very bold manner-here's some of his story.

Two members of the American Nuclear Society were named Fellows during the June 2011 ANS annual conference. These awards were presented in recognition of the Fellows' significant contributions and achievements to nuclear science and technology.

The nuclear renaissance began in the 1990s when reactors began to achieve better than 90-percent up time. The next step is to build new plants on time and within budget. - Nuclear Energy Institute

The August issue of Nuclear News is available in hard copy and electronically for American Nuclear Society members (click here-log-in required).

The first two parts of this series (here and here) presented historical trends in electricity generation in California, and the growing use of in-state natural gas and imports of electricity from grids in neighboring states. They also showed that the use of "Unbundled Renewable Energy Credits" could meet the 33 percent renewable portfolio on paper, but may not benefit consumers in California with actual delivery of electricity.

A recent article called "Earthquake, Tsunami, and Nuclear Power in Japan," written by Karen Street has gotten a lot of attention over the past week. It is a well written and comprehensive look at how humanitarian issues interface with energy issues. Shortly after the article was published in Friends Journal, Street was contacted by a personal friend (and long-time nuclear opponent) with the question, "How do I get involved?"

The American Nuclear Society issues a comprehensive spent fuel report

Vermont Yankee's opponents continue their campaign

The nuclear renaissance began in the 1990s when reactors began to achieve better than 90% up time. The next step is to build new plants on time and within budget. - NEI

Statement identifies advantages, makes recommendations

Japanese and U.S. counterparts face major challenges over Fukishima, but for different reasons