NEI lobbies Trump administration for nuclear bailouts under cover of coronavirus pandemic, including at Vogtle 3 & 4 construction site

As reported by AP, and republished by WABE.

The article reports:

The nuclear energy industry is also asking for help, including for a nuclear project in Georgia.

The industry group, the Nuclear Energy Institute, sent a letter to Trump administration officials suggesting ways the federal government could help.

One suggestion: Give grants to projects that have federal loan guarantees, like Georgia Power’s nuclear expansion at Plant Vogtle, that would help cover paid leave and keep work going.

The plant near Augusta is the only nuclear power construction project in the country right now, and it is supposed to be complete in November 2022.

The Vogtle 3 & 4 are already the beneficiary of many billions of dollars worth of ratepayer Construction Work in Progress "nuclear tax" surcharges on electricity bills in Georgia, as well as $13 billion in federal taxpayer-backed nuclear loan guarantees.

French nuclear plants tighten hygiene procedures over coronavirus worries

As reported by Reuters.

NRC Meeting with Nuclear Industry to Discuss COVID-19 Regulatory Impacts

See the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) meeting announcement, linked here, and reproduced below:

Title: [NRC] Meeting with Nuclear Industry to Discuss COVID-19 Regulatory Impacts.

Dates and Times: March 20, 2020, 02:00 PM to 03:30 PM Eastern Time

Teleconference: Bridge Number (888) 469-2187; Pass Code 9610583

Category: This is a Category 2 meeting. The public is invited to participate in this meeting by discussing regulatory issues with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) at designated points identified on the agenda.

Purpose: The purpose of the meeting is to discuss with the nuclear industry regulatory impacts due to COVID-19.

Contact: NRC staffers -- Ed Miller, 301-415-2481, Ed.Miller@nrc.gov; Mike Mahoney, 301-415-3867, Michael.Manoney@nrc.gov.

Participants: NRC staff listed above, plus external industry participants -- Nuclear Energy Institute; Entergy; NextEra.

Update on March 20, 2020 by admin

See a list of industry questions to NRC.

Note that NOED stands for Notice of Enforcement Discretion. EGM stands for Enforcement Guidance Memorandum. 50.55a refers to Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 50.55(a), CODES AND STANDARDS -- https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/cfr/part050/part050-0055a.html.

Update on March 20, 2020 by admin

Here is an audio recording of today's NRC teleconference meeting:

https://lhalevy.audioacrobat.com/download/lhalevy-20200320144127-5648.mp3

Thank you to Libbe HaLevy, Producer/Host, Nuclear Hotseat, for making this recording available.

Trump administration considers invoking Defense Production Act of 1950 (DPA) to address coronavirus pandemic; less than two years ago, it considered invoking the DPA to bail out the nuclear power industry

As reported by the New York Times on March 17, 2020 in an article entitled "U.S. Virus Plan Anticipates 18-Month Pandemic and Widespread Shortages," President Trump is considering invoking the Defense Production Act of 1950 to address the crisis.

Less than two years ago, President Trump and his Energy Secretary at that time, Rick Perry, also considered invoking the Defense Production Act of 1950, in order to bail out the economically failing nuclear power and coal industries. They didn't get away with it, because they met fierce resistance. See the following Beyond Nuclear posts from that time:

June 1, 2018

http://www.beyondnuclear.org/nuclear-costs-whatsnew/2018/6/1/trump-orders-perry-to-stop-coal-nuclear-retirements.html

June 6, 2018

http://www.beyondnuclear.org/the-nuclear-retreat/2018/6/6/trump-subverting-us-competitive-electricity-market-to-bailou.html

June 12, 2018

http://www.beyondnuclear.org/nrc/2018/6/12/environmental-coalition-demands-expedited-release-of-documen.html

Sellafield nuclear waste site (in U.K.) to close due to coronavirus

Magnox reprocessing plant will begin controlled shutdown after 8% of staff self-isolate

As reported by The Guardian.

The BBC has also reported on this story.