Only a nuclear reactor can make Pueblo “whole” after Xcel Energy closes last coal-fired plant, local group says

After a 10-month study, a community-based committee says the only energy technology that can make up for lost jobs, taxes and economic activity is an advanced nuclear power plant PUEBLO — The only way Pueblo can be “made whole” after the closure of Xcel Energy’s massive, coal-fired Comanche Station is for the utility to replace …

France bets €1bn on startups building bus-sized nuclear reactors to fight climate change

After years of playing defence, the nation’s nuclear industry is seizing its startup moment After years of trying to reduce its dependence on nuclear power, France has radically changed its tune, betting heavily on the sector to help reach its climate goals. The French government has committed €1bn as part of its France 2030 plan to support …

Russia, India sign Kudankulam agreements

Agreements linked to the construction of new reactors at the Kudankulam site in Tamil Nadu were signed during a five-day visit to Moscow by India’s Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. The agreements on Kudankulam were signed during a 25 December meeting on bilateral economic cooperation between Jaishankar and Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov. …

Japan lifts operational ban on world’s biggest nuclear plant

 Japan’s nuclear power regulator on Wednesday lifted an operational ban imposed on Tokyo Electric Power’s (9501.T) Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant two years ago, allowing it to work towards gaining local permission to restart. Tepco has been eager to bring the world’s largest atomic power plant back online to slash operating costs, but a resumption still needs consent …

Regulator accepts Diablo Canyon licence renewal application

Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) can operate the two-unit Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant in California beyond the expiry of their current licences (2024 and 2025, respectively) following the acceptance of PG&E’s licence renewal application by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). PG&E filed the application on 7 November, seeking to extend the plant’s operating …

Parliament backs EU push for small nuclear reactors

The European Parliament backed the development of small nuclear reactors (SMRs) this week, a move welcomed by EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson, who has already called for a rapid turnaround of EU initiatives. Tabled by Slovenian EPP MEP Franc Bogovič, the  European Parliament’s initiative report on “small modular reactors” was adopted with 409 votes in favour, 173 …

Clean energy transition will be difficult, says Higgs, as he unveils 12-year strategy

Plan involves doubling nuclear energy generation capacity by developing small modular reactors The New Brunswick government has laid out a strategy for how it broadly plans to ramp up capacity for renewable and nuclear energy generation, while reducing the province’s reliance on diesel and oil. But the 12-year plan unveiled Wednesday falls short of putting a …