A technical evaluation of the Fordow fuel enrichment plant
‘Revelations about Iran's secret Fordow fuel enrichment plant have been seen as proof that Tehran is pursuing nuclear weapons. But the facility's small capacity makes enriching either reactor-grade or even bomb-grade uranium extremely time-consuming and impractical. Although it is significant that Iran has officially declared that there are no further secret nuclear facilities such as Fordow inside the country, it's possible that this facility could be one of several that has been either built or planned. When Iran's Fordow fuel enrichment plant first became public on September 25 at the G-20 meeting in Pittsburgh, the underground facility, located near the holy city of Qom, was widely portrayed as proof that Tehran was pursuing nuclear weapons. In particular, U.S. President Barack Obama, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown claimed that the clandestine enrichment plant's "size and configuration" were "inconsistent with that of a peaceful program."’

Fire shuts nuclear power station
‘The Dungeness B nuclear power station in Kent has been shut down after a small fire in the boiler annexe. The fire was extinguished by fire crews after it was spotted by staff just before midnight. No-one was injured. The plant has two reactors - one was already out of action for maintenance, but the fire meant the other one also had to be shut down. British Energy said there was no risk to the public and there had been no release of radioactive material.’

Obama recognises India as 'nuclear power' for the first time
, Nov 24 (PTI) Recognising India as a "nuclear power" publicly for the first time, President Barack Obama today said it can be a full partner of the US in preventing the spread of atomic weapons and pursuing the shared vision of a nuclear arms-free world. As Obama welcomed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the White House in the first State Visit of his Administration, the N-word featured in the introductory remarks of both the leaders. "As nuclear powers, we can be full partners in preventing the spread of the world's most deadly weapons, securing loose nuclear materials from terrorists, and pursuing our shared vision of a world without nuclear weapons," Obama said. On his part, Singh said, "We should cooperate in addressing global challenges of combating terrorism, making our environment cleaner, and moving towards a world free of nuclear weapons.’

Alcohol incident at Erwin plant prompts NRC action
‘Nov. 24--ERWIN, Tenn. -- Nuclear Fuel Services is being ordered to correct operational deficiencies after an investigation found a senior executive with the company had consumed alcohol on duty in violation of federal rules and a physician working for the company provided incomplete information on whether the executive was fit for duty. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued orders requiring Nuclear Fuel Services and a physician its contracts with to correct deficiencies in its Unicoi County plant related to the former executive the NRC says violated its fitness for duty requirements. The plant also was cited for a failure to administer hearing tests to security officers. According to the NRC, Nuclear Fuel Services is ordered to modify its fitness-for-duty procedures and training and establish policies for the reporting of substance abuse concerns, including creating a corporate ethics hotline and procedures to allow anonymous reporting. The action follows an NRC investigation that found the Nuclear Fuel Services executive consumed alcohol before a scheduled working tour of the facility in 2006 in violation of federal regulations.’

Incinerator to shut down next week
‘OAK RIDGE, Tenn. - The planned shutdown of a toxic waste incinerator at Oak Ridge is now set for the end of this month. The incinerator closing was scheduled for the end of last month, but officials say it will now be Nov. 30. Some liquid waste shipments contained more mercury than anticipated and had to be burned at a slower rate to stay within the incinerator's emission requirements. The Department of Energy has discussed shutting down its Oak Ridge incinerator for several years, but extended its lifetime a couple of times to treat additional waste from nuclear cleanup sites around the country. However, earlier this year it stopped accepting waste shipments and began burning up the remaining inventory, with a plan to shut it down permanently at the end of September. That was delayed until mid-November because of difficulties in treating the hazardous waste, leading to the current situation and the new shut down date. The incinerator -- at the site of the former K-25 uranium enrichment site -- is uniquely qualified to burn a range of mixed wastes containing both radioactive materials and hazardous chemicals.’

Celtic League join call to close down Sellafield
‘THE Celtic League has raised new fears about safety problems at Sellafield as the UK's plans for new nuclear installations on the North Irish Sea coastline are unveiled. Recent incidents at the Cumbrian nuclear plant are revealed in the latest report from the Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Nuclear Installations. Although minor in nature, the incidents point to 'continuing underlying safety issues', according to the Celtic League. The Nuclear Installations Inspectorate is investigating a radioactive leak at Sellafield's plant B212 this summer in which one person received contamination to his clothing. Initial indications suggest the contamination was linked to the plant's ventilation system. Earlier this year there were two other incidents, one involving contamination on redundant ductwork at one plant and the other involving an operator engaged in decommissioning work who wounded his thumb while using an angle grinder on equipment heavily contaminated with plutonium.’

Alstom, Schneider Said to Improve Joint Bid for Areva Division Share Business
‘Nov. 24 (Bloomberg) -- Alstom SA and Schneider Electric SA, the French team bidding for Areva SA's power-grid unit, agreed to revise the terms of its offer as they seek to strengthen the value of their bid, a person familiar with the situation said. The two companies agreed to drop a variable component related to the performance of Areva's transmission and distribution unit, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the talks aren't public. The group's offer is valued at about 4 billion euros ($6 billion), the person said. Dropping the variable clause may give the French side an edge to fend off competing bids by General Electric Co. as well as Toshiba Corp., which has teamed up with Innovation Network Corp. All suitors have offered about 4 billion euros, and Areva may select a winner this week, three people said yesterday. Spokesmen for Schneider and Alstom declined to comment. Reuters earlier today reported that Alstom and Schneider had agreed to revise the terms of their offer for the Areva unit, which builds and operates electricity grids.’

Namibia's dwindling diamonds make way for uranium boom
‘Found a century ago in the arid Namib desert, diamonds are Namibia's main export but slumping global demand has prompted the government to explore uranium mining and gas fields, in a bid to diversify the economy. Rossing Uranium had been Namibia's sole uranium mine since the 1970s, till a second mine was established two years ago in the western Namib desert. According to the World Nuclear Association, the two mines have a capacity to produce 10 percent of the world's uranium output, if used efficiently. So far the government has shown interest in expanding the country's uranium mining by issuing mining licences to prospective companies. "Over 40 exclusive prospecting licenses (EPLs) for uranium and 12 uranium mining licenses have been issued," Joseph Iita, the permanent secretary in the mining ministry, told a recent mining seminar. Namibia currently produces around 5,000 tonnes of uranium oxide annually and there is room for more.’