NEI Nuclear Notes

Interestingly, Kentucky's Governor Steve Beshear pursued an energy policy during his campaign but was notably silent about nuclear energy being a part of that policy - you can see his campaign manifesto on energy issues here . But, boy, when he comes around, he comes around big. "We must begin the discussion now about whether nuclear energy should be a part of our energy portfolio," [Beshear] told reporters at a Capitol press conference. The governor's energy plan comes at a time when utility companies are looking at Kentucky for potential nuclear power plant sites. "Several companies have suggested that they would be interested in building nuclear plants in Kentucky," said Energy Secretary Len Peters. Here is the governor's plan (warning: sizeable pdf). You'll see that there are seven strategies - presumably to keep things lucky - and the seventh strategy is "Examine the Use of Nuclear Power for Electricity Generation in Kentu...

In looking for videos to include on NEI's newly created YouTube channel ( NEI Network ), we came across an excellent online resource there this week: Third Wave Digital . Third Wave is an advertising company that has created over 50 high quality animated clips that explain how a nuclear plant works. The videos were created for Progress Energy's Harris Plant Visitors Center. Be sure to check out the Third Wave's YouTube channel . And if you have any suggested clips for the NEI Network channel, please send them our way.

Dr. Joe Bonometti, with the help of thorium expert Kirk Sorensen , gave about an hour long "tech talk" at Google discussing liquid fluoride thorium reactors. Here's the video: Slowly but surely thorium is gaining greater and greater interest in the country. Atomic Insights has some thoughts on how to keep it going.

Time to scratch a name off your Energy Secretary candidate list? ABC 's Jake Tapper and Martha Raddatz are reporting that retired Marine General James L. Jones has emerged as the leading candidate to serve as the National Security Adviser for President-elect Obama . The former head of NATO and U.S. forces in Europe, Jones is currently president and CEO of the Institute for 21st Century Energy . A move to the NSA could provide synergies with the work done at the ITCE ; where energy policy is viewed as integral to national security. Click here for more NNN coverage on who will be in the Obama Cabinet .

Romania has pulled together a pretty impressive group of energy suppiers - including ArcelorMittal, CEZ, GDF Suez, Enel, Iberdrola and RWE Power - in order to knock together two new nuclear units to join the units at the Canadian built Cernavoda. Romanian Finance Minister Varujan Vosganian said the project would take nearly seven years to complete. "This is a very great step to increase Romania's energy security," Mr Vosganian was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency. We can only agree. The story doesn't mention whether Canada is building the new units, though the second unit, which is Canadian, only opened last year. There's a history there. --- While we'd like to say a few switches are getting thrown on at a the proposed plants we've mentioned here, we know we've got a bit of a wait ahead. So file this - and similar -  news in the back of your mind and we'll return to Romania in a few years to cut a ribbon and pop a cork. In...

The internet, as you may have heard, is jam packed with pages that purport to determine your perfect mate , your personality , your life span (based, I guess, on your intake of Omega-3 and asbestos). Typalizor says it will tell you your personality type by analyzing your blog and judging, well, we'd guess word choice. Here is how Typalizer judged Nuclear Notes (we were really expecting "Psychotic" since it would be taking in the writing of three frequent writers): INTJ - The Scientists The long-range thinking and individualistic type. They are especially good at looking at almost anything and figuring out a way of improving it - often with a highly creative and imaginative touch. They are intellectually curious and daring, but might be physically hesitant to try new things. The Scientists enjoy theoretical work that allows them to use their strong minds and bold creativity. Since they tend to be so abstract and theoretical in their communication they oft...

The Wolf Creek nuclear plant in Kansas just became the 50th reactor unit to receive a 20 year license renewal from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission . The plant is now licensed to operate until March 11, 2045. Congratulations to everyone involved! Only 54 units left to go .