NEI Nuclear Notes

The following is a statement by NEI Senior Vice President for Governmental Affairs, Alex Flint regarding the U.S. DOE's submission to Congress yesterday of the “Nuclear Fuel Management and Disposal Act” : “The nuclear energy industry is pleased that the Bush Administration has sent legislation to Congress to facilitate implementation of the federal government’s used nuclear fuel management program. We view this legislation as additional evidence that the administration continues its support for nuclear energy as an essential part of a diverse energy portfolio for our nation. “This legislation addresses one of the three key foundational pieces of the integrated used fuel management strategy that the industry has embraced to protect the environment in an era of expanded use of nuclear energy. In addition to the planned Yucca Mountain disposal facility that is the focus of this legislation, the industry advocates research and development and demonstration projects to recycle nuclear f...

From a Department of Energy press release : Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman announced today he will send to the U.S. Congress a legislative proposal to enhance the nation’s ability to manage and dispose of commercial spent nuclear fuel and Defense high-level radioactive waste. “This legislative proposal reflects the Administration’s strong commitment to advancing the development of the Yucca Mountain repository, while seeking to provide stability, clarity and predictability in moving the project forward,” Secretary Bodman said. “Nuclear power is a clean, reliable domestic source of energy that currently represents approximately 20 percent of the nation’s energy supply. The Yucca Mountain repository is critical to the nation’s current and future energy and national security needs, and I look forward to working with the Congress on developing a bill that can be passed by Congress and signed by the President.” And in a related story : Duke Energy Carolinas and the U.S. Department o...

That's according to The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics : The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics's March quarter Australian Commodities report, released yesterday, said despite a substantial increase in global uranium mine production this year, the spot uranium price was expected to keep appreciating, averaging more than $US94.20 ($A121.69) per pound in 2007, compared with $US85 now. "In 2008, the spot uranium price is forecast to increase by a further 10 per cent to average $US103 per pound," ABARE said. ... However prices will start to decline after next year ABARE says, as the large amounts of money being spent on uranium exploration, both in Australia and around the world, begin to translate into new mine production. Here's another take on uranium prices according to NEI's Marvin Fertel : In the long run, "I think we're going to end up with a much better situation than we even had before," he sai...

On March 1, The Technology and Culture Forum at MIT hosted a panel discussion on the future of nuclear energy . A DailyKos diarist was there.

The Professional Reactor Operator Society is holding a vote to determine which American nuclear utility is the best in the business. To tell your side of the story, click here .

A video report on why the U.K. is giving nuclear energy another look .

While it's still below 50%, national broadcaster ABC is detecting an uptick . For a look at public opinion in the U.S., click here . For more on the situation in Australia, visit Falkayn's Nest .