Nuclear News: Is Burma going nuclear?
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Today's big stories from the nuclear industry:
Washington Post: Is Myanmar going nuclear?
’BANGKOK -- The recent aborted voyage of a North Korean ship, photographs of massive tunnels and a top secret meeting have raised alarm bells that one of the world's poorest nations may be aspiring to join the nuclear club - with help from its friends in Pyongyang. No one expects military-run Myanmar, also known as Burma, to obtain an atomic bomb anytime soon, but experts have the Southeast Asian nation on their radar screen. "There's suspicion that something is going on, and increasingly that cooperation with North Korea may have a nuclear undercurrent. We are very much looking into it," says David Albright, president of the Institute for Science and International Security, a Washington, D.C. think tank. The issue is expected to be discussed, at least on the sidelines, at this week's ASEAN Regional Forum, a major security conference hosted by Thailand. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, along with representatives from North Korea and Myanmar, will attend.’
Nuclear Street: Shaw AREVA MOX Services and Tennessee Valley Authority Sign Letter of Intent to Evaluate MOX Fuel
’The Shaw Group Inc. has announced that Shaw AREVA MOX Services, LLC (MOX Services) and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) have signed a letter of intent to enter into contract negotiations for the procurement of Mixed Oxide fuel (MOX). MOX fuel is manufactured from surplus weapon-grade plutonium and can be used as a low-cost alternative to power nuclear reactors. MOX Services is a joint venture between Shaw's Environmental & Infrastructure Group and AREVA. The TVA is evaluating the use of MOX fuel as an alternative in its Sequoyah Nuclear Plant Units 1 and 2 and Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant Units 1, 2 and 3; it also may evaluate use of the fuel in its future nuclear generation projects. MOX Services will continue to collaborate with the TVA in its evaluation process.’
Christian Science Monitor: US, India agree on nuclear and defense deals
’Washington - Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton paved a path to expanding relations with India during her three-day visit there, announcing accords that secure multibillion-dollar contracts for US nuclear power-plant builders and that open the door to billions of dollars in sales for American defense contractors. But it was another announcement that, even more than the others, demonstrated the Obama administration's designation of India as a crucial partner for the United States in the 21st century. On Nov. 24, Secretary Clinton said, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be President Obama's guest in a White House state visit, making Mr. Singh the first foreign leader to make that level of visit under the new American leader.’
St Petersburg Time: Ecologists Appeal to Europe for Support Over Power Plant
’Environmental groups from Russia, Lithuania, Belarus and Finland are appealing to the European parliament to help push the Russian authorities to organize an international discussion and public hearings on the construction of the second Leningrad Nuclear Power Station, or LAES-2, which they regard as a highly hazardous project. Work has already begun on LAES-2, a complex of six power station units with VVER-1200 reactors that is due to complement the existing four 4 RBMK-1000 units of the Leningrad Nuclear Power Station (LAES). The project’s estimated cost is $10 billion. Andrei Ozharovsky, a nuclear safety expert with the Moscow-based environmental organization Ecodefense, drew attention to the fact that in 1991 Russia signed the Espoo Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context, which obliges all participating countries to organize public discussions on all potentially hazardous projects, not only within the countries considering them, but in all countries that might be affected by the consequences of an accident.’
Bloomberg: Entergy Cuts Forecast After Quarterly Profit Drops
’July 20 (Bloomberg) -- Entergy Corp., the No. 2 U.S. producer of nuclear power, reported a decline in second-quarter profit and cut its full-year earnings forecast after production disruptions slowed output from its reactors and prices dropped. Net income fell to an estimated $1.13 a share from $1.37 a year earlier, New Orleans-based Entergy said today in a statement. The company, which is scheduled to release its full earnings report on Aug. 4, said 2009 net income per share will be $6 to $6.60. Its previous forecast was $6.56 to $7.16. Excluding such items as costs related to a planned spinoff, second-quarter profit was $1.22 a share, Entergy said. On that basis, the company was expected to earn $1.45 a share, the average of 10 analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg.’
Trading Markets: CHINA NATIONAL NUCLEAR CORP GETS US$14 BLN CREDIT LINE FROM CDB
’China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) signed a strategic cooperation agreement with China Development Bank (CDB) on Monday, which stipulates that the bank will provide 100 billion yuan (US$14.640 billion) line of credit to China National Nuclear Corporation. The nuclear group will use the capital to support its business development including nuclear power, nuclear fuel cycle, uranium resources development, disposal of spent nuclear fuel and nuclear technology developments.’
