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Nuclear powers reaffirm commitment to NPT
The five major nuclear powers - China, France, Russia, the UK and the USA - have reaffirmed their commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and called on Iran and North Korea to fully address international concerns....(<a href="http://nuclearstreet.com/blogs/world_nuclear_news/archive/2008/05/12/nuclear-powers-reaffirm-commitment-to-npt.aspx">read more</a>)<img src="http://nuclearstreet.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=2418" width="1" height="1">

Binder named as new CNSC president
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced that Michael Binder has been appointed as its new president. He had previously been appointed interim-president in January following the dismissal of Linda Keen by the federal government due to the extended shut down of the NRU isotope-production reactor because of safety concerns, which led to a worldwide shortage of supplies for medicine. The government, citing a serious erosion of faith in Keen's leadership, said she had failed to assure the government that the NRU shutdown would not happen again. The reactor's shut down prompted the government to pass legislation ordering it to restart. Natural resources minister Gary Lunn said, "I am very pleased to confirm Dr Michael Binder as president of the CNSC." He added, "Dr Binder has extensive experience as a senior executive in the federal public service and is the right person to lead the CNSC into the future." Binder has been appointed for a five-year term....(<a href="http://nuclearstreet.com/blogs/world_nuclear_news/archive/2008/05/12/binder-named-as-new-cnsc-president.aspx">read more</a>)<img src="http://nuclearstreet.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=2416" width="1" height="1">

EdF buys potential UK sites
EdF Energy, the UK business of Electricité de France (EdF), has confirmed to World Nuclear News its purchase of land in the UK. The plots are located next to the existing nuclear power generation sites of Wylfa, on the Welsh island of Anglesey, and Hinkley Point in Somerset, England. The company recognised that existing nuclear sites - or land next to them - would be the most feasible for new nuclear plants in the time-constrained UK build program. EdF is also closely linked with possible bids for control of British Energy and its existing nuclear sites. A spokeswoman for BE told WNN that 9 May did not represent an 'official deadline' for bids on BE, and that news on the company's future would be announced through stock market mechanisms in due course. Nevertheless, observers expect an announcement imminently....(<a href="http://nuclearstreet.com/blogs/world_nuclear_news/archive/2008/05/12/edf-buys-potential-uk-sites.aspx">read more</a>)<img src="http://nuclearstreet.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=2417" width="1" height="1">

South Korea scouts for energy in Central Asia
South Korean prime minister Han Seung-soo has sealed a deal to secure 2600 tonnes of Uzbek uranium. The $400 million deal, covering 9% of supply between 2010 and 2016, came during Han's tour of Central Asia....(<a href="http://nuclearstreet.com/blogs/world_nuclear_news/archive/2008/05/12/south-korea-scouts-for-energy-in-central-asia.aspx">read more</a>)<img src="http://nuclearstreet.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=2415" width="1" height="1">

Volgodonsk battles to third place
The Volgodonsk nuclear power plant has hosted the All-Russia Hand-To-Hand Combat Tournament for the third time. The two-day event attracted competitors from 23 Russian regions. Of the 107 fighters present, 12 were acknowledged as masters of the sport. Competitors from five nuclear power plants - Kola, Leningrad, Beloyarsk, Kursk and Volgodonsk - took part in the competition. Russia's overarching nuclear coordinating corporation, Rosatom, said that nuclear plants are "specific facilities requiring enhanced protection and guarded by strong and well-trained men." While representatives from the nuclear power plants won medals in the various weight groups, the team from the Volgodonsk plant were named the third-best team of fighters, after the team from the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the team from the Volgograd region. Among the nuclear plants, Volgodonsk was best, followed by Kursk and Leningrad. The director of the Volgodonsk plant, Alexander Palamarchuk, presented medals to the winners and invited the fighters to come again next year. In last year's competition the Volgodonsk plant came second, ahead of Volgodonsk region but behind the Moscow branch of the Federal Security Service....(<a href="http://nuclearstreet.com/blogs/world_nuclear_news/archive/2008/05/09/volgodonsk-battles-to-third-place.aspx">read more</a>)<img src="http://nuclearstreet.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=2401" width="1" height="1">

BE's apprentices to set sail
The company at the centre of new build in the UK, British Energy (BE), has signed a major contract to train engineers for current and future power stations....(<a href="http://nuclearstreet.com/blogs/world_nuclear_news/archive/2008/05/09/be-amp-39-s-apprentices-to-set-sail.aspx">read more</a>)<img src="http://nuclearstreet.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=2399" width="1" height="1">

EPZ applies to use MOX fuel at Borssele
EPZ has applied for government permission to use mixed-oxide fuel in the Borssele nuclear power plant. The company also wants to "improve its use of recycled uranium," which it has been loading into Borssele for the past few years....(<a href="http://nuclearstreet.com/blogs/world_nuclear_news/archive/2008/05/09/epz-applies-to-use-mox-fuel-at-borssele.aspx">read more</a>)<img src="http://nuclearstreet.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=2398" width="1" height="1">

Saskatchewan and Alberta vie for nuclear plant
[Canwest News Service, 7 May] The Canadian provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan are competing to house western Canada's first nuclear power plant, Saskatchewan's minister of natural resources said. Speaking at a meeting of energy regulators in Calgary, Bill Boyd said: "We have had early, very preliminary discussions with Bruce Power about the potential in Saskatchewan." He added that Bruce Power has "indicated to us, as well, that the site selection might be more appropriate in our province, so we are interested in that and are looking at it." Boyd said that Saskatchewan, which produces about one third of the world's uranium, would welcome the investment in a nuclear power plant. He said, "We are comfortable with the science and we certainly believe it is something we want to take a look at." Noting Saskatchewan's extensive uranium resources, Boyd commented, "it certainly makes sense for us to take a look at the next stages of development, upgrading, refining and through to generation." He suggested that Alberta and Saskatchewan could pursue one project, located in Saskatchewan, which might be "complementary to both jurisdictions." Bruce Power has already identified Peace River in Alberta as a potential site for a nuclear power plant....(<a href="http://nuclearstreet.com/blogs/world_nuclear_news/archive/2008/05/09/saskatchewan-and-alberta-vie-for-nuclear-plant.aspx">read more</a>)<img src="http://nuclearstreet.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=2400" width="1" height="1">

No baseload bids against planned Vogtle units
No market bids have been forthcoming in response to Georgia Power's request for proposals for 2016-2017 base load capacity, clearing the way for the continued review of its plans to build new nuclear units at Vogtle....(<a href="http://nuclearstreet.com/blogs/world_nuclear_news/archive/2008/05/08/no-baseload-bids-against-planned-vogtle-units.aspx">read more</a>)<img src="http://nuclearstreet.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=2390" width="1" height="1">

Nizhniy Novgorod plans nuclear power plant
The governor of the Nizhniy Novgorod region of Russia has said that a nuclear power plant will be constructed either in the Urensky district or the Vyksunsky industrial area under the federal government's nuclear energy plans to 2020....(<a href="http://nuclearstreet.com/blogs/world_nuclear_news/archive/2008/05/08/nizhniy-novgorod-plans-nuclear-power-plant.aspx">read more</a>)<img src="http://nuclearstreet.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=2391" width="1" height="1">

US, Chinese AP1000 contracts
A design and services contract has been signed for the forthcoming nuclear power reactors at Sanmen, China. At the same time, components for the same AP1000 design have been ordered for the first three such American units....(<a href="http://nuclearstreet.com/blogs/world_nuclear_news/archive/2008/05/08/us-chinese-ap1000-contracts.aspx">read more</a>)<img src="http://nuclearstreet.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=2389" width="1" height="1">

Deadlock remains on US-India nuclear deal
[Bloomberg, 6 May; Hindustan Times, 7 May] India's federal ruling coalition and its communist allies failed to break the deadlock on the stalled civilian nuclear agreement with the US as their eighth meeting ended inconclusively on 6 May. In the meeting, the coalition and communist allies discussed the outcome of the negotiations between the government and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on India-specific safeguards. Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee said, "The Left parties have sought further clarifications, which will be provided in the next few days." He added that, "Further discussion will be held at the next meeting of the committee to be held on 28 May." India's communist parties have been vociferous in their opposition to the bilateral agreement on the grounds that its conditions would give the USA influence over Indian foreign policy, and had threatened to withdraw their support from the coalition government if it were to proceed. "In terms of India, the issue is with Indian politics and the Indian government working on their end to try to resolve any issues they may have," US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters when asked if the deal was "just dead or is moving forward."...(<a href="http://nuclearstreet.com/blogs/world_nuclear_news/archive/2008/05/07/deadlock-remains-on-us-india-nuclear-deal.aspx">read more</a>)<img src="http://nuclearstreet.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=2379" width="1" height="1">

Green light for Opal restart
The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (Ansto) announced on 5 May that it had been given the go-ahead to restart the Opal research reactor following approval on 1 May by the country's nuclear safety regulator for it to use a modified fuel design, altered to prevent dislodgement of nuclear fuel plates. The Open Pool Australian Light-water (Opal) reactor began commissioning in 2006, reaching full power during November that year. However, it was shut down in July 2007 following the partial displacement of some fuel plates. Ansto's CEO, Ian Smith, said: "It has been a frustrating time for all involved. However, it was important that these painstaking steps were taken to ensure that Opal can recommence operating." He added, "We are hoping that full power of 20 MWt will be achieved in a few weeks' time, but this has to be done gradually. It's not just a case of flicking a switch." Meanwhile, Ansto has announced that Dr Smith has decided not to accept an extension to his contract and will leave office on 16 May following four years as the organisation's CEO. He plans to return to New Zealand with his family. Ron Cameron, currently chief of operations, will act as CEO until Smith's successor is appointed....(<a href="http://nuclearstreet.com/blogs/world_nuclear_news/archive/2008/05/07/green-light-for-opal-restart.aspx">read more</a>)<img src="http://nuclearstreet.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=2380" width="1" height="1">

Nuclear cooperation for USA and Russia
The USA and Russia have signed a landmark deal on nuclear cooperation to facilitate trade and allow joint ventures between companies. It is an essential step for the nations which want to cooperate on a range of strategic initiatives....(<a href="http://nuclearstreet.com/blogs/world_nuclear_news/archive/2008/05/07/nuclear-cooperation-for-usa-and-russia.aspx">read more</a>)<img src="http://nuclearstreet.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=2378" width="1" height="1">

Areva selects US enrichment site
Areva has confirmed a site 30 kilometres west of Idaho Falls, near the US Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory, as the place for its potential new $2 billion centrifuge enrichment plant. Areva's is just one of several plans for new uranium enrichment in the USA....(<a href="http://nuclearstreet.com/blogs/world_nuclear_news/archive/2008/05/07/areva-selects-us-enrichment-site.aspx">read more</a>)<img src="http://nuclearstreet.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=2377" width="1" height="1">