NEI Nuclear Notes

Over the past few weeks, we've gotten multiple requests from our member companies to distribute video of the most popular panel discussion at the 2013 Nuclear Energy Assembly . The clip embedded below is from a panel discussion between four industry CEOs: Tom Farrell of Dominion Resources; Chris Crane of Exelon; Tom Fanning of Southern Company; and Tony Alexander of FirstEnergy Corp. The topic: "Navigating Uncharted Seas: CEO Perspectives on the Electricity Business." The discussion, moderated by Dominion's Farrell, was both frank and free-wheeling. If you really want to get some insight into the issues nuclear operators are facing these days in both regulated and merchant markets, this 31-minute video is a great place to start. Now, we understand that not everyone is going to have 30 minutes to devote to watching the entire discussion. That's why we're hard at work back at the office editing this same video into smaller bites that can be digested more...

Rosatom has a beef with a Norwegian newspaper that said its nuclear facilities do not meet international safety standards. Its response, in part: The company said it has told the newspaper it reserves the right to “defend its honor and integrity in accordance with international standards.” Which we hope doesn’t include pistols and seconds. From Nucleonics Week . No link to the story, unfortunately. --- William Ostendorff won his first full term as an NRC commissioner last night, allowing the NRC to move forward with a full five-member roster of commissioners. Ostendorff had stepped in for the departing Dale Klein last year, but this vote ensures him a full five year term. This is important, as the NRC needs a majority to ensure there are no tied votes. Here’s a bit from Ostendorff’s bio at the NRC site: Before joining the NRC, Mr. Ostendorff served as the Director of the Committee on Science, Engineering and Public Policy and as Director of the Board on Global Scienc...