24 Apr (NucNet): An expert panel has been appointed to prepare a research paper for debate about the potential for nuclear power generation in the Canadian province of Alberta, where proposals to build up to two twin-unit plants are under consideration.

Energy minister Mel Knight said: �Nuclear energy is a challenging topic because it generates strong feelings and opinions, not only in Alberta, but around the world.

�The work of the panel will provide the government and all Albertans with an unbiased examination of the issues that will help us determine together whether or not nuclear energy is the right fit for meeting Alberta�s electricity needs.�

Alberta�s Provincial Energy Strategy, expected to be completed later this year, will also be reviewed by the panel to examine how nuclear power fits into an Alberta context.

The panel is expected to submit its report to the provincial government by the autumn. The government said it will then decide on a process for hearing the views of Albertans on the issue.

In August 2007, the Energy Alberta Corporation said it had filed an application with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission for a licence to prepare for the construction of up to two twin-unit nuclear plants in Alberta.

In November 2007, a survey indicated that just over half of residents in Alberta, where proposals to build up to two twin-unit plants are under consideration, support the construction of a nuclear plant, according to a new survey.

� by John Shepherd


>>Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers)

Survey Indicates Support For New-Build In Canadian Province (News in Brief No. 37, 6 November 2007)

Bruce Power Acquires Energy Alberta, Files Application For Potential Units (World Nuclear Review No. 11, 14 March 2008)

Canadian Province To Evaluate Future Nuclear Potential (News in Brief No. 38, 1 April 2008)

Source: NucNet

Editor: editors@worldnuclear.org

24 Apr (NucNet): The chief US nuclear regulator has called for increased sharing of information with regulatory bodies worldwide to combat the potential use of counterfeit or substandard equipment at nuclear plants.

Dale Klein, chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), said in a speech to academics yesterday: �I have suggested in meetings with regulators from other nations that we establish more extensive channels of communication to share information about any component or equipment that may be substandard, counterfeit, inadequate or inappropriate to a nuclear power plant.

�Regulatory agencies and industry would benefit from sharing this data under normal circumstances, but it seems to me even more critical during the current worldwide push to build new plants.�

Mr Klein said he was concerned about whether there is sufficient quality assurance and control over the �myriad elements that go into building a modern nuclear reactor�. He said regulatory scrutiny of major components manufacturers does not always apply with the same intensity to the sub-vendors that supply parts and materials to the manufacturers.

Earlier this month, the NRC reminded US reactor licence applicants and nuclear power plant operators of their responsibility �to prevent counterfeit parts from posing a safety concern�. However, the NRC stressed that although it was aware of two counterfeit part incidents from 2007, neither had affected plant safety.

� by John Shepherd


>>Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers)

US Regulators Remind Operators Of �Counterfeit Parts� Guidance (News in Brief No. 43, 9 April 2008)

NRC Chairman Highlights Possible Roadblocks To Nuclear Revival (World Nuclear Review No. 29, 20 July 2007)

Source: NucNet

Editor: editors@worldnuclear.org

24 Apr (NucNet): Ukraine�s president Victor Yushchenko visited the country�s former Chernobyl nuclear power plant yesterday and saw the removal of the final nuclear fuel assembly at the plant.

Mr Yushchenko also took part in a ceremony marking the opening of Chernobyl�s �Vektor� radioactive waste recycling centre.

A statement from Mr Yushchenko�s office said that removal of the fuel assembly was an important step towards the overall decommissioning of the plant.

In 2002, the Chernobyl complex was granted a licence to proceed with decommissioning. The licence was the first decommissioning licence to be issued in Ukraine and covered units one to three along with spent fuel storage and other facilities.

The Vektor project dates back to 1997, when Ukraine launched an open tender to choose a contractor for the construction of the first phase of Vektor.


>>Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers)

Ukraine: $300 Million Contracts Up for Grabs (Business News No. 34.1, 14 May 1997)

Ukraine: Decommissioning Licence for Chernobyl (Business News No. 21.3, 5 April 2002)

Key Contracts Signed For Chernobyl Decommissioning (News No. 213, 17 September 2007

The NucNet database currently contains around 12,000 reports published since 1991. To subscribe or ask for any further information email info@worldnuclear.org

Source: NucNet

Editor: editors@worldnuclear.org