ENERGY COMMUNITIES ALLIANCE
ECA hosts Advanced Demonstration Project focused webinar
ECA Staff | 5/10/2021
Last week the Energy Communities Alliance hosted a webinar, "Engaging Energy Communities in Advanced Nuclear Demonstration Projects," as part of our New Nuclear Initiative, a self-funded program to
define the role of local governments in the development of advanced nuclear technologies.
ECA communities see exciting, mutually-beneficial opportunities to support new nuclear development, innovation, decarbonization goals, and fill vital roles - from hosting advanced nuclear demonstration projects, establishing new U.S.-based manufacturing and supply chains, promoting new training programs at community colleges, to providing a skilled workforce – that leverage their communities’
strengths, unique experiences and resources (i.e., skilled workforce, relationships with DOE/national laboratories, community colleges and contractors).
Last week, participants heard from speakers including Ashley Finan, Director of the National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC), and Christine King, Director, Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) Initiative as they outlined how local communities can support federal efforts; David Hart from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation presented opportunities and
challenges based on lessons-learned from other federal demonstration projects; Jason Herbert from Energy Northwest discussed partnerships and the positive policy environment in Washington state that is attracting advanced nuclear developers; and finally, as at every webinar, ECA welcomed the Nuclear Developers perspective, this time learning more about TerraPower and the Natrium technology from Olu Omotowa.
The webinar was recorded and is now available on ECA's YouTube channel. If you have missed any other of ECA's important discussions, those webinars are available as well.
Webinars:
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NUCLEAR WASTE
Expert Recommendations On Nuclear Waste May Fall On Deaf Ears – Yet Again
Forbes | 5/10/2021
For decades now the United States government has been bamboozled by how to handle a very serious responsibility: how to “permanently” dispose of highly radioactive nuclear waste generated by atomic weapons programs as well as spent nuclear fuel from civilian nuclear reactors. You may recall plans to bury it all under Yucca Mountain, Nevada, or entomb it in salt layers 800 feet underneath Carlsbad, New
Mexico.
The process of siting a permanent repository is as slow as plutonium decay. The United States Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board (NWTRB) just put out six overarching recommendations for the Department of Energy’s nuclear waste management program. These are to help in the development of a successful deep geologic repository program. They include:
- Ensure an Integrated Organizational Approach
- Anticipate Required Infrastructure and Personnel Needs
- Expand the Research Paradigm to Embrace Hypothesis Testing
- Apply an Iterative, Adaptive Approach in Developing and Managing the Nuclear Waste Management Program
- Expand Engagement with the International Community to Benefit from Lessons Learned
- Embrace Openness, Transparency, and Engagement
NUCLEAR POWER - MONTANA
Governor signs bill pulling plug on public vote for nuclear power
KPVI | 5/7/2021
Gov. Greg Gianforte signed House Bill 273 on Friday, which pulls the plug on a 43-year-old referendum that left decisions on construction of new nuclear power plants to a public vote and now transfers those decisions to the Legislature instead.
Montana voters passed the Montana Empowering Voters to Approve Proposed Nuclear Facilities Initiative in 1978, also known as I-80, that puts proposed nuclear-power facilities up for a public vote.
HB 273 was sponsored by Rep. Derek Skees, R-Kalispell, who said during this year's legislative session that the legislation still leaves the decision in the hands of the Montana citizenry, but through elected officials. He said lawmakers could have more deliberative, focused discussion.
WASTE STORAGE
NATIONAL LAB
Read about DOE's High Level Waste Interpretation
Have questions about DOE’s recent high-level waste (HLW) interpretation? Download ECA’s Key Points and FAQs on the issue to better understand what ECA believes are the potential benefits of implementation.
Interested in learning more? Read the ECA report “Making Informed Decisions on DOE's Proposed High Level Waste Definition” at www.energyca.org/publications
Stay Current on Activities in the DOE World
Read the latest edition of the ECA Bulletin, a regular newsletter providing a detailed brief of ECA activities, legislative news, and major events from across the DOE complex. Have suggestions for future editions? Email bulletin@energyca.org.
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Learn More about Cleanup Sites with ECA's DOE Site Profiles
ECA's new site profiles detail DOE's 13 active Environmental Management cleanup sites and national laboratories, highlighting their history, missions, and priorities. The profiles are a key source for media, stakeholders, and the public to learn more about DOE site activities, contractors, advisory boards, and their surrounding local
governments.
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