Building support for uranium mining in Virginia

January 14, 2013, 11:00AMANS Nuclear CafeRod Adams

One of the single most valuable pieces of energy real estate in the United States is located a few miles outside of Chatham, Virginia, less than an hour's drive from my home. Millions of years ago, natural forces concentrated about 119 million pounds of uranium in a relatively small volume of what is now a cow pasture. That is enough raw material to supply all of the nuclear power plants in the United States with all of their fuel needs for a little more than two years. If valued at today's suppressed, post-Fukushima market price, the deposit is worth about $7 billion.

No Holiday from Politics

January 8, 2013, 7:00AMANS Nuclear CafeHoward Shaffer

In Vermont, the Holiday Season did not slow the wave of actions and interest about energy in general and the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant in particular. Vermont Yankee continues to run very well, and there have not been even any routine events for opponents to "crow" about.

The Atlantic Generating Station

January 3, 2013, 7:00AMANS Nuclear CafeWill Davis

Recent announcements and news stories about a Russian project to build a floating and essentially portable nuclear power plant have been variously tabbed with the heading "new." The idea of a floating, mobile nuclear plant (which is not self-propelled and not a ship) is indeed not new-the nuclear barge STURGIS, itself a converted Liberty Ship, served as a power source for the Panama Canal for many years, beginning back in 1967. The new Russian plants bring extra excitement because they are classed, properly, in the now-popular small modular reactor plant category, having been based on true seagoing designs. This, of course, hints at the fact that their output will not approach that of any of the large, conventional nuclear plants familiar today.

The 137th Carnival of Nuclear Bloggers

January 1, 2013, 10:20AMANS Nuclear Cafe

The New Year's 2013 edition of the weekly Carnival of Nuclear Energy Bloggers is posted at The Hiroshima Syndrome.  This week's topics include: suggested nuclear New Year's resolutions for Japan; future prospects for nuclear energy in America; getting along with antinuclear friends and neighbors; a radical nuke that also makes cheap diesel fuel; how the NRC's nuclear decommissioning fund is not a tax subsidy.  For the full reports, see The Hiroshima Syndrome (the internet's top source for Fukushima updates and commentary).

Vermont Weather Gets Colder – Vermont Yankee Politics Continue Hot

December 11, 2012, 7:00AMANS Nuclear CafeHoward Shaffer

Some long-awaited events related to the continued operation of the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant took place toward the end of 2012, such as the trial of some members of the Shut It Down Affinity Group (known to the media as the "nuclear grannies") who have been arrested many times for blocking Vermont Yankee's gates.  Some unexpected events have occurred as well, such as a Public Service Board ruling and a brand new lawsuit by a long-term intervenor.