NRC moves forward on temporary nuclear waste storage plan

The Republican-controlled Nuclear Regulatory Commission has announced that it will move forward with temporary high-level nuclear waste storage in New Mexico, despite hazards of transportation and failure to have a long-term solution. Kevin Kamps from Beyond Nuclear discusses the issues.

Listen to the audio recording on WORT's (Madison, WI) "8 O'Clock Buzz" interview by host Jan Miyazaki.

Trump’s Atomically Misguided Giveaway to the Dangerous Uranium Mining Industry

The White House is using the COVID-19 pandemic as a reason to propose relaxing environmental safeguards on uranium mining, which could open a mine near the Grand Canyon.

See the NRDC Action Fund blog.

NRC Preliminary Notification of Occurrence (PNO) at Cook 2 in MI: Reactor Coolant System (RCS) pressure boundary leakage from a pressurizer spray line

Cook nuclear power plant, Bridgman, MI, Lake Michigan shore. NRC file photo.[Cook Unit 2 in Bridgman, MI, on the Lake Michigan shore, went from 100% power level to 0% power level within just several hours, due to this occurrence/event.]

See Michael Keegan of Don't Waste MI's circulation of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Preliminary Notification of Occurrence, here.

Report backs lawmakers' concerns with U.S.-Saudi talks

As reported by E&E News.

Virus puts Fermi 2 refueling outage on hold

As reported by Tom Henry at the Toledo Blade.

Update on May 6, 2020 by admin

The Monroe Evening News has also reported on this story.

DTE temporarily suspends Fermi refueling work

By Blake Bacho

bbacho@monroenews.com

DTE has instituted a safety stand down of its Fermi 2 nuclear power plant that has temporarily suspended some of the maintenance and refueling outage work that had been occurring at the facility.

The stand down began Friday and some of the work resumed on Monday.

The stand down was related to the health and safety of employees amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, according to a statement issued by DTE spokesperson Stephen Tait.

“Crews who maintain the facility in its current idled state remained on the job through the weekend to ensure the safety of the plant,” he said. “The safety stand down allowed the site to conduct newly available novel coronavirus testing for regular and contract employees at the facility. The testing conducted for all personnel included antibody testing, which requires a finger-prick blood sample, and viral testing, which requires a nasal swab.”

Tait said the planned refueling and maintenance work, which began March 21, included COVID-19 prevention activities such as health assessments, enhanced cleaning efforts and temperature checks to permit entry into the facility. DTE also is requiring all employees and contractors to wear provided face masks while on site.

“The safety stand down will add duration to the outage,” Tait acknowledged. “But our focus is on the health and safety of the people at the plant. This was the right step to promote their health and well-being.”

Update on May 7, 2020 by admin

An updated version of the Monroe Evening News coverage has been published:

https://www.monroenews.com/news/20200506/dte-temporarily-suspends-fermi-refueling-work

DTE temporarily suspends Fermi refueling work

By Blake Bacho

Posted May 6, 2020 at 4:00 PM

Updated May 6, 2020 at 4:01 PM

DTE Energy instituted a safety stand down of its Fermi 2 nuclear power plant Friday; some of the work resumed Monday.

DTE has instituted a safety stand down of its Fermi 2 nuclear power plant that has temporarily suspended some of the maintenance and refueling outage work that had been occurring at the facility.

The stand down began Friday and some of the work resumed on Monday.

The stand down was related to the health and safety of employees amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, according to a statement issued by DTE spokesperson Stephen Tait.

“Crews who maintain the facility in its current idled state remained on the job through the weekend to ensure the safety of the plant,” he said. “The safety stand down allowed the site to conduct newly available novel coronavirus testing for regular and contract employees at the facility. The testing conducted for all personnel included antibody testing, which requires a finger-prick blood sample, and viral testing, which requires a nasal swab.”

Tait said the planned refueling and maintenance work, which began March 21, included COVID-19 prevention activities such as health assessments, enhanced cleaning efforts and temperature checks to permit entry into the facility. DTE also is requiring all employees and contractors to wear provided face masks while on site.

“The safety stand down will add duration to the outage,” Tait acknowledged. “But our focus is on the health and safety of the people at the plant. This was the right step to promote their health and well-being.”

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