THORIUM ENERGY ALLIANCE

Many of our members have been writing letters to our Senators, Congressmen, the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, and even University Presidents asking that they consider the benefits and needs for establishing a thorium economy. We ask that you do the same. Here you can see an example of a letter that Dr. Cannara addressed to the AAAS and the White House. Below you can see a video that Bryan Hallez, a student at the University of Cincinnati, posted on youtube. In fact, Bryan, and fellow students, built a website around the cause (thorium.mine.nu). We encourage everyone to help inform the world about thorium.

MU reactor to ditch weapons grade uranium

The MU Research Reactor Center is laying the groundwork to switch from using weapons-grade uranium to a safer fuel as part of a national push to minimize security threats.
Civilian reactors such as the one at MU have become the focus of federal security strategists working to minimize the likelihood that terrorists could attack a reactor or steal highly enriched uranium that can be used to make atomic bombs.
MU is anticipating the switch to low-enriched uranium, and officials are keen on preserving its efficiency as a scientific research and pharmacy drug production facility after the fuel change. ColumbiaMissourian (04/28)

Mini reactors are a growing focus of the nuclear industry

The nuclear-power industry is pinning its hopes for a comeback on miniature, underground reactors, according to Der Spiegel. Supporters hope these compact plants can sidestep construction delays, regulatory roadblocks and financing problems that have plagued mammoth, gigawatt-capacity facilities. U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu said some of the $54 billion in loan guarantees pledged to the nuclear industry will be available to build these miniature reactors. Der Spiegel (Germany) (English online version) (04/09)

Wave of power plant applications presents challenge for NRC

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission expects challenges related to the many applications for new plant construction, according to Dave Matthews, director of the agency's new-reactor licensing. "At this time, the NRC has a total of 18 accepted license applications for new power plants in the U.S.," Matthews said. Augusta Chronicle (Ga.), The (04/14)

Exec: NRG, Constellation may secure nuclear loan guarantees

The federal government could award NRG Energy and Constellation Energy loan guarantees for new nuclear projects, said David Crane, CEO of NRG. He also expects the government's decision this quarter and said that his company's project needs federal aid to move forward. The Department of Energy is analyzing projects by NRG, Constellation and South Carolina's Scana. Bloomberg BusinessWeek (04/12)

U.S. is urged to build centralized used fuel storage facility

Dale Klein, a former Nuclear Regulatory Commission official, said the government should opt for the construction of a centralized interim storage site and advance recycling of used nuclear fuel. These proposals would bring the country more in compliance with global nuclear-industry standards, he said. Interim storage could resolve the country's used-fuel issues for as long as 100 years, he added. Reuters (04/14)

Industry groups seek standardization of nuclear-reactor designs

A number of industry executives and the World Nuclear Association are supporting a concerted effort to globally standardize nuclear-reactor designs. They established a working group that will enable cooperation and feedback within the sector on projects, share input with intergovernmental agencies and aim for design regularity. PowerGenWorldwide.com (04/13)

Controversy over Vermont Yankee facility bucks relicensing trend

The struggle within Vermont -- between anti-nuclear activists and nuclear energy advocates inspired by President Obama's push for clean power sources -- is uncommon amid growing popular support for the technology. Dozens of power plants around the country have been granted 20-year renewals of their licenses. USA TODAY (04/16)

GE unit moves forward with design of enrichment facility

Global Laser Enrichment, a unit of GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, announced it started the design of a commercial uranium-enrichment facility after completing testing of the technology at a nuclear-fuel assembly plant in North Carolina. The company needs to secure a commercial-facility license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which is expected during 2012, said Jack Fuller, CEO of GE Hitachi. Star-News (Wilmington, N.C.) (04/15)

U.S. to convert Canada's used nuclear fuel

Canada will send its used nuclear fuel to the U.S., Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced at the global nuclear summit in Washington. The goal of the summit is to secure all nuclear materials around the world within four years. Salon (04/12)

Illinois Senate overwhelmingly approves lifting of nuclear ban

NEI SmartBrief | Mar 16, 2010 The Illinois Senate voted, 40-1, to pass a bill that would lift the state's 23-year-old moratorium on new nuclear plants. The measure would allow Illinois to better position itself for federal funding for new nuclear plants and thousands of construction jobs, said state Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline. The bill goes to the state House. Chicago Sun-Times (03/15)