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BR2 is one of the most powerful research reactors in the world contributing significantly to the global supply of medical radioisotopes and testing nuclear innovations. Since it began operating in 1962, it has been fuelled by highly enriched uranium (HEU), considered a nuclear proliferation risk. Belgium’s nuclear research centre, SCK-CEN, plans to replace this with low-enriched uranium (LEU).

Date: Friday, 31 March 2023
Original article: neimagazine.com/news/newsbelgiums-br2-research-reactor-to-use-low-enriched-uranium-fuel-10714503

Even oil-rich companies of Middle East are eying reactors, as more nations announce plans for SMRs Russian troops occupied the Zaporizhzhia nuclear station, which was damaged by shelling. File photo courtesy IAEA. 2022 was a year of mega milestones for nuclear energy.

Countries around the world turned to nuclear as a reliable low-carbon energy source as they looked for ways to wean themselves off Russian imports and lower carbon emissions.

New plants began operating, deals for small modular reactors were signed and countries announced ambitious plans for new-build.

On the political front, US president Joe Biden signed into law new legislation that will help to finance struggling nuclear reactors and could save dozens from being shut down early. In Europe, the nuclear industry celebrated when members of the European parliament decided to “follow the science” and support legislation which includes nuclear in the bloc’s sustainable finance taxonomy for green investment.

Date: Tuesday, 10 January 2023
Original article: nucnet.org/news/five-major-developments-that-are-setting-the-stage-for-2023-and-beyond-1-1-2023

The US Department of Defence’s (DOD’s) Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO) has released a Record of Decision (ROD) for Project Pele, a programme intended to design, build, and demonstrate a mobile microreactor.

Date: Wednesday, 20 April 2022
Original article: neimagazine.com/news/newsus-defence-department-to-build-project-pele-mobile-microreactor-9635695

Legislation excludes uranium sourced from Russia and China Advanced fuels are seen as the most critical element in the design of advanced nuclear reactors. Courtesy Idaho Nationall Laboratory. US senator John Barrasso has introduced to the US Senate a bill to ensure a domestic supply of high-assay, low-enriched uranium (Haleu) to fuel advanced nuclear reactors.

The Fueling Our Nuclear Future Act of 2022 would ensure a domestic supply of Haleu for advanced reactors by directing the Department of Energy to prioritise establishing a domestic Haleu enrichment capability and to use enriched uranium held by the DOE and the National Nuclear Security Administration to fuel advanced reactor demonstrations until US commercial enrichment is available.

The bill explicitly excludes uranium sourced or processed by any entity owned or controlled by the governments of Russia and China.

The American Nuclear Society said Russia currently operates the only commercial Haleu enrichment capacity. A mature commercial Haleu infrastructure in the US could serve domestic Haleu needs and also supply US allies with Haleu.

Date: Wednesday, 13 April 2022
Original article: nucnet.org/news/senator-introduces-bill-to-ensure-domestic-supply-of-haleu-for-advanced-reactors-4-2-2022

The AA Bochvar Research Institute of Inorganic Materials (VNIINM), a subsidiary of Russian nuclear fuel manufacturer TVEL, has successfully developed the technology and manufactured experimental fuel pellets from uranium disilicide for light water reactors. The move is part of a programme for the development of so-called accident-tolerant fuel (ATF).

Date: Friday, 04 February 2022
Original article: world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/TVEL-develops-accident-tolerant-fuel-pellets

Legislation still needs to be signed by president Trump The plan has been approved by Congress, but needs to be signed off by president Trump. Courtesy US Senate. A $908bn relief and stimulus plan approved by US Congress includes $1.5bn for nuclear energy programmes, signalling the importance of nuclear as the country tries to move towards an increasingly decarbonised economy.

The total appropriation for the Department of Energy is $42bn, which is $3.45bn above the level enacted in 2020 and $6.3bn above the budget request. This includes $1.5bn for nuclear energy research, development and demonstration, including $280m for the Advanced Reactors Demonstration Programme, which was announced in May.

The plan still needs to be signed by president Donald Trump, but he said this week he would ask Congress to “amend” the bill. Among other changes he wants to increase a $600 direct payment for every American adult to $2,000, or $4,000 for a couple.

The relief and stimulus provisions were attached to a wider appropriations bill to fund the federal government and avert a government shutdown. If the president does not sign the legislation by the start of next week, the federal government will be shut down from December 29.

Date: Friday, 25 December 2020
Original article: nucnet.org/news/stimulus-plan-includes-usd1-5-billion-for-nuclear-energy-programmes-12-4-2020

US president Donald Trump signed an executive order declaring a national emergency in the mining industry, aimed at boosting domestic production of rare earth minerals critical for military technologies, including uranium, while reducing the country’s dependence on China.

Mr Trump ordered his Cabinet secretaries to study the matter, with an eye toward government grants for production equipment, as well as tariffs, quotas or other import restrictions against China and other non-market foreign adversaries.

The order states that the county’s “undue reliance on critical minerals, in processed or unprocessed form, from foreign adversaries constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat, which has its source in substantial part outside the United States, to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States.”

Date: Saturday, 03 October 2020
Original article: nucnet.org/news/uranium-on-critical-list-as-trump-declares-national-emergency-10-5-2020

In order to secure the economic and security benefits of a true 'all-of-the-above' energy agenda, the United States must be at the forefront of nuclear innovation, writes Dan Brouillette. The following is the US secretary of energy's 21 August blog for the Department of Energy (DOE).

Date: Tuesday, 25 August 2020
Original article: world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Viewpoint-You-cant-have-true-energy-independence

The US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has announced a change to its Environmental and Social Policy and Procedures (ESPP) to enable support for nuclear power projects and align the definition of renewable energy with the US Energy Information Administration's (EIA’s) definition.

Date: Tuesday, 28 July 2020
Original article: neimagazine.com/news/newsus-removes-restrictions-on-nuclear-financing-8044919

New policies ‘will increase American competitiveness’ in nuclear industry The Vogtle-3 and -4 nuclear plants are the only reactors under construction in the US. Photo courtesy Georgia Power. The US intends to rewrite foreign policy relationships and increase competitiveness in new markets as it attempts to regain its position as a leader in nuclear technology and regain ground it has lost to China and Russia, energy secretary Dan Brouillette said in an article in Defense One.

Mr Brouilette said many countries of geopolitical importance are pursuing nuclear energy for their domestic electricity needs. Those countries are largely turning to Chinese and Russian state-owned enterprises for the technological support needed to build reactors, while the US sits on the sidelines.

“In effect, China and Russia are gaining geopolitical leverage by exporting nuclear expertise and building 100-year bilateral relationships.

“Our strategy calls for increasing American competitiveness in new markets by making it easier to export civil nuclear technologies, equipment, and fuel.”

Date: Wednesday, 03 June 2020
Original article: nucnet.org/news/we-must-regain-ground-lost-to-china-and-russia-says-energy-secretary-6-2-2020