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Steve's favorite news links

* The Newseum's daily compendium of front pages from around the world

* Nevada state government's nuclear-oriented "What's New" page, updated daily with links to fresh articles from around the world.

* Google News, updated continuously throughout the day.

* America's Party News - God-fearing, liberty-loving, sovereignty-conserving folks have a great plan to save our nation

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FUKUSHIMA NEWS

* [Fukushima-Japan-npp] Official: Japan could have zero operational reactors by this summer, Wall Street Journal (via NEI email; title here is NEI's - original is "Japan Girds for Summer Power Cuts")
NEI's highlight: Japan could have no reactors running when demand for electricity rises this summer, said Yukio Edano, the country's trade minister. Edano didn't commit to a schedule for the restart of the reactors. "If we make a decision [that we'll restart the reactors] first or if we try to come to a conclusion by a certain time, it means we aren't really checking safety and we really can't obtain understanding from the people," he said.

* [Fukushima] TEPCO examines Fukushima Daiichi reactor through endoscope, Kaori Kaneko, Reuters (via NEI email; title here is NEI's - original is "Japan turns to endoscope to inspect leaking reactor")
NEI's highlight: Tokyo Electric Power used an endoscope to examine the interior of one of the damaged reactors of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. "It will help us keep the reactor stable and solve problems," a spokeswoman for the company said.

* [Fukushima] Olympus endoscope scrutinizes leaking nuclear reactor, Kaori Kaneko, Reuters (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Fukushima] First images from Japanese reactor show radiation, Associated Press (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Fukushima] Scientists say they can find melted reactor fuel; Muons hold key, team believes, but authorities have yet to seek their help to peer inside crippled reactors, Minoru Matsutani, The Japan Times (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Fukushima-radiation-construction materials] Fears over radioactive gravel from Fukushima; Pressure is growing on Japanese authorities to determine exactly where radioactive gravel from a quarry close to the exclusion zone around the Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear plant has been used in construction projects, Julian Ryall, London Telegraph (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Fukushima-radiation-food] Radioactive cesium content higher in Fukushima fruits, mushrooms, The Asahi Shimbun (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [npp-Japan-Hamaoka] Meltdown at Hamaoka plant certain if power supply knocked out for 3 days, Tomomi Abe, The Asahi Shimbun (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Fukushima-Chernobyl] Japan to seek data from Ukraine on effects of Chernobyl accident, Mainichi Daily News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Fukushima-Japan-electricity prices] Nuclear accident causes a 17% hike on electricity rate, Denki Shimbun (via Nevada ANP)

* [Fukushima-Japan-npp-Kansai] Kansai Electric facing heavy loss, Japan Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Fukushima-Japan-npp] Gov't nuclear power plant tests mired in doubt, Mainichi Daily News editorial (via Nevada ANP)

* [Fukushima-radiation-building materials] Radioactive gravel also used in construction of private house in Fukushima, Mainichi Daily News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Fukushima-radiation-building materials] TEPCO urged to compensate for tainted building material in Fukushima, Mainichi Daily News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Fukushima-radiation-firewood] High levels of cesium found in ash in wood stoves of homes in Fukushima, Mainichi Daily News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Fukushima-radiation] Radiation intake by Fukushima families up, UPI (via Nevada ANP)

* [Fukushima-TEPCO] TEPCO left backup power for nuclear data equipment detached for 4 months, Mainichi Daily News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Fukushima-TEPCO] Stronger oversight of TEPCO mulled with outside directors, Mainichi Daily News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Fukushima-TEPCO] TEPCO to be nationalized for 10 years - Kyodo (Update 1), Ashutosh Pandey, Reuters UK (via Nevada ANP)

* [Fukushima-TEPCO] Tepco may be run by outside directors, Japan Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Fukushima] TEPCO captures images inside crippled Fukushima reactor for 1st time, Mainichi Daily News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Fukushima] New video of Fukushima nuclear reactor interior, BBC News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Fukushima] 3/11 memorial to be held in Tokyo, Japan Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Fukushima] Contaminated water in Japan reactor pits, UPI (via Nevada ANP)

* [Fukushima] Water falling like rain inside N-reactor, Daily Yomiuri (via Nevada ANP)

see previous Fukushima news at nuclear.com's Fukushima page

US NUCLEAR POWER PLANT NEWS

* [npp-US-Vermont Yankee] Vermont Yankee wins right to keep generating, World Nuclear News

* [npp-US-Vermont Yankee] A win for Vermont Yankee; Federal District Court rules against efforts by the State of Vermont to assert regulatory authority over radiological safety issues, Dan Yurman, ANS Nuclear Cafe (via @N_E_I)

* [npp-US-Vermont Yankee] Vermont Yankee plant can continue to operate, judge rules, Associated Press (via NEI email; title here is NEI's - original is "Federal judge rules Vermont's only nuclear plant can remain open, over state's objection")
NEI's highlight: Entergy's Vermont Yankee nuclear plant can continue to operate after its scheduled shutdown date this year, U.S. District Judge J. Garvan Murtha ruled. The facility secured a 20-year license extension from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, but Vermont objected to it, citing safety concerns. "The ruling is good news for our 600 employees, the environment and New England residents and industries that depend on clean, affordable, reliable power provided by Vermont Yankee," Entergy said.

* [npp-US-Vermont Yankee] Judge blocks Vermont from shutting down nuclear plant, Michael Winter, USA TODAY (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [npp-US-Indian Point] Power density - to replace Indian Point (250 acre site) with windmills would require 770 square miles, excerpt from Robert Bryce op ed, Wall St Jrl

* [npp-spent fuel] Nuclear power - high level waste is so compact, it's manageable, excerpt from Robert Bryce op ed, Wall St Jrl

* [npp-US-newbuild-AP1000] AP1000 cooling after loss of electrical power - example of passive safety design feature, excerpt from Bloomberg editorial

* [npp-economics] Natural gas price is down from $13/Mbtu in 2008 to $3/Mbtu; undercuts nuclear plant economics, excerpt from Bloomberg editorial

* [npp-US] Policymakers play key role in U.S. clean-energy push, Bloomberg editorial (via Nevada ANP and NEI email; title here is NEI's - original is "Help Next-Generation Nuclear Power Advance During Long Building Lull")
NEI's highlight: U.S. policymakers can do several things to help the country obtain roughly 80% of its electricity from low-carbon sources such as nuclear energy by 2035, according to the Bloomberg editorial board. Lawmakers can award power companies with loan guarantees to help them with the price of new reactors. A price on carbon emissions could also push utilities to shift from emissions-heavy coal to clean nuclear energy, the board argues.

* [npp-US-Crystal River] Progress to Record $288 Million in Costs for Florida Accord, Jim Polson, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-US-Crystal River] Progress Energy reaches settlement in broken nuclear plant case, Ivan Penn, Tampa Bay Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-US-Diablo Canyon] PG&E chairman announces company will spent millions on improvements, David Sneed, San Luis Obispo Tribune (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-US-Fort Calhoun] Restart of Troubled Nuke Plant Appears Later than Sooner, Joe Jordan, Missouri News Horizon (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-US-Fort Calhoun] Neighbors question Ft. Calhoun's safety, Nancy Gaarder, Omaha World-Herald (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-US-Indian Point] Indian Point 2 reactor goes back online; pump seal that caused shutdown will be tested, Timothy O'Connor, Lower Hudson Journal (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-US-newbuild-SMR] Energy Department Takes First Step to Spur U.S. Manufacturing of Small Modular Nuclear Reactors, DOE (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-US-newbuild-SMR] US DOE launches major funding program for small nuclear reactors, Yanmei Xie, Platts (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-US-newbuild-Utah-Blue Castle] Water rights approved for proposed Utah nuke plant, Josh Loftin, CBS News (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-US-newbuild-Utah-Blue Castle] State officials grant use of water for nuclear plant in Green River, Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Deseret News (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-US-newbuild-Utah-Blue Castle] Utah opens door to nuclear plant, Alison Peek, The Examiner (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-US-newbuild-Utah-Blue Castle] Planned Utah nuclear project receives water rights from state, Platts (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-US-newbuild-Utah-Blue Castle] Utah gives green light to nuclear power plant, Judy Fahys, Salt Lake Tribune (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-US-newbuild-William States Lee] Backers, critics of Duke's Lee nuclear plant clash at hearing, Bruce Henderson, Charlotte Observer (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-US-Vermont Yankee] First Round: Entergy 1, Vermont 0, Matthew L. Wald, New York Times blog (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-US-Vermont Yankee] Judge rules against state, says Entergy can continue to operate Vermont Yankee, Anne Galloway, Vermont Journalism Trust (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-US-Vermont Yankee] Judge's decision in Vermont Yankee case raises questions about the efficacy of an appeal, Alan Panebaker, Vermont Journalism Trust (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-US-Vermont Yankee] Vt. lawmakers mull strategy after nuke defeat, Boston Globe (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-US-Vermont Yankee] Timeline of events at Vermont Yankee nuclear plant, BurlingtonFreePress (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-US-Vermont Yankee] Vermont officials weigh next move in Vermont Yankee case, Terri Hallenbeck, BurlingtonFreePress (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-US-Vermont Yankee] Vermont gets 'clocks cleaned' in 'bad loss', Olga Peters, Windham County Commons (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-US-Vermont Yankee] Entergy asks that utility suit be moved to federal court, Bob Audette, Brattleboro Reformer (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-US-Vermont Yankee] Entergy wins case against state of Vermont, Susan Smallheer, Rutland Herald (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-US-Vermont Yankee] Despite Entergy's Court Win, Yankee Still Needs State Permit, John Dillon, Vermont Public Radio (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-US-Vermont Yankee] Lawmakers, VPIRG react to Vermont Yankee Ruling, Keith McGilvery, WCAX (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-US-Vermont Yankee] What's next in Vt Yankee saga?, Susie Steimle, WCAX (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-US-Vermont Yankee] Local residents weigh in on Vt Yankee ruling, Gina Bullard, WCAX (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-US-Vermont Yankee] Does Vt have grounds for appeal in Yankee ruling?, Jennifer Reading, WCAX (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-US-Vermont Yankee] Vt Yankee ruling won't impact GMP, Keith McGilvery, WCAX (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-US-Vermont Yankee] Vermont Yankee wins right to keep generating, World Nuclear News (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-US-Vermont Yankee] Vermont Yankee Allowed To Stay Open -- For At Least 20 More Years, Lauren Victory, WPTZ The Champlain Valley (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-US] NOTICES Knowledge and Abilities Catalog for Nuclear Power Plant Operators: Knowledge and Abilities Catalog for Nuclear Power Plant Operators: Advanced Boiling Water Reactors Pages 3009-3010 [FR DOC# 2012-1063], Nuclear Regulatory Commission (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-US] U.S. cedes the lead on nuclear energy, Reese Palley, Philadelphia Inquirer (via Nevada ANP)

see previous nuclear plant news at nuclear.com's main nuclear power page

OTHER NUCLEAR POWER PLANT NEWS

* [npp] Nuclear energy is the environmental choice, Robert Bryce, Wall Street Journal (via NEI email; title here is NEI's - original is "Small Is Beautiful - So Go Nuclear; As environmentally friendly as they sound, biofuels and wind power squander land and other resources")
NEI's highlight: Nuclear power provides a good example of the role density plays in the preservation of the environment, writes Robert Bryce, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute. Nuclear plants have high power density compared with other energy sources such as wind turbines because they generate an ample amount of electricity while needing less space. Power plants should have the smallest possible footprints, Bryce writes.

* [npp-newbuild-Egypt] IAEA in contact with Egypt after theft of radioactive devices, Deutsche Presse-Agentur (via IAEA Daily Press Review and CSIS)

* [npp-India] 'Weak links in security of India's coastal n-plants', Deccan Herald (via CSIS)

* [npp-Spain] Spain mulls lengthening nuclear plant's life span, Dow Jones Newswires (via NEI email; title here is NEI's - original is "Spain May Extend Garona Nuclear Plant's Life Until 2019")
NEI's highlight: Spain is considering allowing the Santa Maria de Garona nuclear plant operate until 2019, six years after a proposed July 6, 2013, shutdown date. Iberdrola and Endesa own the the 460-megawatt facility in Burgos, Spain.

* [npp-France] Areva confirms private investigator was hired, James Boxell, Financial Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-India-Japan] Bolstering Japan-India ties, Japan Times editorial (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-newbuild-Czech-nuclearbiz] MIR + Temelin, Oleg Nekhai, Voice of Russia (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-newbuild-Egypt] It's time to go nuclear, Amina Abdul Salam, Egyptian Gazette (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-newbuild-Egypt] Egypt probes reports of stolen radioactive material, Egypt Independent (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-Spain] Spain starts process to reverse Garona nuclear plant closure order, Luca Baratti, Platts (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-Sweden] Swedish nuclear safety needs improving: report, The Local Sweden (via Nevada ANP)

* [npp-UK] UK 'subsidising nuclear power unlawfully', Richard Black, BBC News (via Nevada ANP)

IRAN NEWS

* [Iran-China] China warns Iran against nuclear weapons, UPI (via @nuclearnewsbot)

* [Iran-EU] EU Sanctions Wouldn't Be Derailed By Iran Nuclear Talks Offer - EU Sources, Dow Jones (via @nuclearnewsbot)

* [Iran] Considering the "Rally Round the Flag Effect" in Iran, Eli Jacobs, Center for Strategic and International Studies

* [Iran-talks] Turkey seeks steps to facilitate Iran talks; Foreign minister says time and place need to be decided for resuming nuclear talks between Tehran and major powers, Al Jazeera (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-talks] All sides willing to resume Iran nuclear talks-Turkey, Ece Toksabay, Reuters (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-US] U.S. open to diplomacy with Iran, UPI (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-oil-EU] Britain and France set to push through EU oil embargo on Iran as pressure ratchets up over Tehran's nuclear programme, David Williams, London Daily Mail (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-wardrums-Israel] Israel may have taken a step back from bombing Iran - but for how long? The chair of the US joint chiefs of staff who is in Israel to discuss Iran will warn of the dire consequences of a military strike, Harriet Sherwood, The Guardian (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran] Why we should look at things from Iran's side, Dan Gardner, The Ottawa Citizen (via IAEA Daily Press Review)

* [Iran-wardrums] Not quite too late, The Economist (a CSIS top story)

* [Iran-Israel-US] Top U.S. general in Israel to discuss Iran's nuclear program, USA Today (a CSIS top story)

* [Iran-oil-Japan] Japan offers U.S. support on Iran, less clear elsewhere in Asia, Reuters (a CSIS top story)

* [Iran-oil-China-Australia] Rudd urges China to stop buying Iran oil, Herald Sun (via CSIS)

* [Iran-China] China turns on Tehran with warning over nuclear weapons, The Montreal Gazette (via CSIS)

* [Iran-assassination-IAEA] IAEA rejects Iran accusation over scientist killing, Reuters (via CSIS)

* [Iran-Strait of Hormuz] Iran warns region against "dangerous" stance on Hormuz, Reuters (via CSIS)

* [Iran-US] U.S. open to diplomacy with Iran, UPI (via CSIS)

* [Iran-wardrums-France] Time running out for Iran diplomacy - Sarkozy, Reuters (via CSIS)

* [Iran] 'What We Know Suggests the Development of Nuclear Weapons', Jeffrey Goldberg, The Atlantic (via CSIS)

* [Iran] Nuclear Iran has political goal, Alexander Aton, News-Leader.com (via CSIS)

* [Iran-US] When did the U.S. navy become the Iranian Coast Guard?, Joshua Keating, Foreign Policy (via CSIS)

* [Iran-wardrums] How the West Should Answer Iran's Nuclear Aggression, Ray Takeyh, Council on Foreign Relations (via CSIS)

* [Iran-assassination-IAEA] 'IAEA leaks Iran secret data to US', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination-IAEA] 'UN bodies leak info on Iran N experts', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination-IAEA] Iranian MPs to write to UN over nuclear assassinations, Tehran Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination-IAEA] 'Iran must reconsider IAEA cooperation if info continues to be leaked', Tehran Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination-IAEA] IAEA rejects Iran accusation over scientist's killing, Fredrik Dahl, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-assassination] 'Killing Iran experts, act of desperation', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-China] China's Iran Dilemma, Minxin Pei, BBC News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-EU] EU's toughest sanctions yet put Iran on final warning over nuclear programme, Kim Sengupta, The Independent (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Germany] Germany's Westerwelle Urges Iran to Begin 'Serious Dialogue', Nicole Gaouette and Viola Gienger, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Israel-US] U.S. General Visits Israel for Discussions on Iran, Ethan Bronner, New York Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Israel-US] U.S. military chief in Israel for talks on Iran, Joel Greenberg, Washington Post (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Israel] Israel's fears of a nuclear Iran, James Reynolds, BBC News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-EU] EU still divided on Iran oil sanctions, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-Greece] EU states to assure Greece on Iran oil ban, Sebastian Moffett and Justyna Pawlak, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-oil-Japan] Japan asks Washington to grant waiver on latest Iran oil sanctions, Japan Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Russia-US] US and Russia: How best to resolve Iran's nuclear puzzle?, Elkhan Nuriyev, Hurriyet Daily News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Russia] Russia refunds Iran over canceled missile sale, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-sanctions] Mixed reactions to new sanctions on Iran, Yamei Wang, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks-EU] EU's Ashton to reiterate possibility of Iran talks, Arshad Mohammed, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks] Tehran-5+1 dialogue should start if West has sincere intention: Salehi, Tehran Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks] Iran pursues path of dialogue with P 5+1: Diplomat, IRNA (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks] Iran raps West's dialog-pressure bids, Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-talks] Major powers open to serious talks with Iran, Arshad Mohammed and Ramin Mostafavi, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Turkey] Turkey, Iran calls on quick resumption of Iranian nuclear talks, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-Turkey] Turkey seeks stronger ties with Iran despite Western sanctions, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-UK] Britain revokes licence of Iran's Press TV, France 24 (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-UK] Britain pulls plug on Iran's Press TV (Update 2), Keith Weir, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-US-warships] U.S. carrier to test limits of Iranian rhetoric, Phil Stewart, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-US] Iran must show 'sincerity' for nuclear talks: US, AFP Google (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-US] 'US psywar against Iran will backfire', Press TV (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums-France] Time running out for Iran diplomacy: Sarkozy, John Irish and Daniel Flynn, Reuters (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums] U.S., Europe Trying to Provoke Armed Conflict, Iran Envoy Says, Henry Meyer, Bloomberg (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran-wardrums] An Iran war is brewing from mutual ignorance and chronic miscalculation, Simon Tisdall, The Guardian (via Nevada ANP)

* [Iran] All options on table if Iran under serious threat: Khazaei, IRNA (via Nevada ANP)

see previous Iran-related news at nuclear.com's Iran page

KOREA NEWS

* [North Korea-US] US warns against N Korea 'provocation', Agence France Presse (via @NKoreaReports)

* [North Korea-South Korea] S. Korean nuclear envoy returns home after tripartite talks with U.S., Japan, Yonhap News Agency (a CSIS top story)

* [North Korea] North Korea credits new leader Kim Jong Un with past nuclear testing, Washington Post (via CSIS)

* [North Korea-South Korea-Japan-US] S. Korean nuclear envoy returns home after tripartite talks with U.S., Japan, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)

* [North Korea-South Korea] S. Korea calls for dialogue with N. Korea amid lingering tensions, Yonhap News (via Nevada ANP)

see previous North Korea-related news at nuclear.com's North Korea page

OTHER NUCLEAR WEAPON NEWS

* [n-weapons-China] The defensive nature of China's "underground great wall", Hui Zhang, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists website (via @BulletinAtomic)

* [national security-classified info] NSA says classified information found on seized hard drives; Former government employees suing for return of computers after leak investigation, Peter Hermann, front page story, Baltimore Sun

* [n-weapons] John Lauder (former CIA Nonproliferation Center Director) Joins NPEC (Nonproliferation Policy Education Center) Board of Advisors, (via @NuclearPolicy

* [n-weapons-US] How Obama can slash defense budget: Cut unnecessary nuclear weapons programs, Daryl G. Kimball and Tom Z. Collina, Christian Science Monitor (via Arms Control Association)

* [n-weapons-HEU] Nuclear Summit States Look to Limit Use of HEU, Global Security Newswire (via CSIS)

* [n-weapons-Pakistan-China] The limits of the Pakistan-China alliance, Lisa Curtis and Derek Scissors, Reuters (via CSIS)

see previous nuclear weapons-related news at nuclear.com's main Nuclear weapons page

OTHER NUCLEAR NEWS

* [uranium mining-Virginia] Virginia Governor delays moratorium decision, World Nuclear News

* [uranium mining-Virginia] Virginia's uranium decision: Gov. McDonnell opposes lifting a ban on uranium mining this year but wants officials to draft regulations that could allow it in the future, Washington Post, front page highlight of p. B1 story by Anita Kumar

* [uranium mining-Virginia] Va. governor seeks retention of state's uranium-mining ban, Anita Kumar, Washington Post (via NEI email; title here is NEI's - original is "Gov. McDonnell opposes lifting ban on uranium mining in Virginia this year")
NEI's highlight: Virginia should keep in place a ban on uranium mining this year as state officials conduct further studies on the potential effects of Virginia Uranium's excavation proposal in Southside Virginia, said Gov. Robert McDonnell. He said he would establish a task force to evaluate the site and draft policies for a potential new mining industry in the state. Patrick Wales, Virginia Uranium's project manager, welcomed McDonnell's decision, calling it "an important step toward establishing a regulatory framework that will enable our company to build and operate the safest uranium mine in the world right here in Virginia."

* [uranium mining-Virginia] Virginia Uranium's Response: VUI welcomed McDonnell's position, saying a regulatory framework would help them build "the safest uranium mine in the world right here in Virginia", Danville Register & Bee subhead to top front page story "GOV.: KEEP THE BAN", by Tara Bozick

* [site-Idaho National Lab] Report: Safety lapses contributed to INL radiation incident, Associated Press (via NEI email; title here is NEI's - original is "Report Says Radiation Exposure Was Preventable")
NEI's highlight: A radiation-exposure incident at the Idaho National Laboratory involving 16 workers was preventable, the Department of Energy's Office of Health, Safety and Security said in a report. Ineffective training and the lack of safety measures played roles in the November incident, the report stated.

* [n-weapons-Cambodia] Cambodia asks 5 states to sign SE Asian nuclear free zone by 2012, Xinhua News (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-history-Japan-WWII] Panel's report on 'black rain' contradicts court rulings and angers survivors, Mainichi Daily News (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-Russia] Russia's Bulava Carrying Sub to Enter Service by June, Ria Novosti (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-weapons-US-radiation-compensation] Project Update: Review of the Department of Labor's Site Exposure Matrix (SEM) Database, NAS (via Nevada ANP)

* [enrichment-US-Idaho] Iconic Anti-Nuclear Activist Visits Boise, George Prentice, Boise Weekly (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-waste-Canada] Battle lines drawn on nuclear waste storage, Wawatay News (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-waste-France-nuclearbiz] TWI wins Andra closure tender, Nuclear Engineering (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-waste-Russia] Thousands of tons of nuclear wastes to travel across Russia, Natalia Sinitsa, Pravda (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-waste-UK] Dounreay nuclear material 'must be sent to Cumbria', Herald Scotland (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-waste-UK] Call for referendum on Cumbrian nuclear dump site, Andrew Clarke, News & Star (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-waste-UK] Nuclear dump 'may be forced on area', NW Evening Mail (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-waste-UK] Nuclear Decommissioning Authority reveals plan to move Dounreay material through heart of Scotland, Alan Richardson, Scotland Courier (via Nevada ANP)

* [n-waste-US-spent fuel] The Radioactive Waste Crisis, Linda Pentz Gunter, CounterPunch (via Nevada ANP)

* [radioactive materials-US] PROPOSED RULES Meetings: Notice of Public Meeting and Request for Comment on the Branch Technical Position on the Import of Non-U.S. Origin Radioactive Sources Pages 2924-2926 [FR DOC# 2012-1209], Nuclear Regulatory Commission (via Nevada ANP)

* [radiography-US] NOTICES Order Prohibiting Involvement in NRC-Licensed Activities: In the Matter of Mr. Francis Guilbeau; Order Prohibiting Involvement in NRC-Licensed Activities Pages 3010-3013 [FR DOC# 2012-1060], Nuclear Regulatory Commission (via Nevada ANP)

* [site-Ames Lab-lead-free solder] After 15 Years, A New Top Earning Patent At Ames Lab, DOE (via Nevada ANP)

* [site-Oak Ridge-site-Pantex] NNSA taps Erhart as federal manager for Y-12/Pantex, Frank Munger, Knoxville News Sentinel blog (via Nevada ANP)

* [site-Oak Ridge] This is not how to report a fire at a nuclear weapons plant, Frank Munger, Knoxville News Sentinel blog (via Nevada ANP)

* [site-Oak Ridge] UCOR's lineup of staff-aug subcontractors, Frank Munger, Knoxville News Sentinel blog (via Nevada ANP)

* [site-Oak Ridge] Y-12 outsources uranium work to Lynchburg, Frank Munger, Knoxville News Sentinel blog (via Nevada ANP)

* [site-Pantex] Some Pantex workers now eligible for compensation, Bobby Cervantes, Amarillo Globe-News (via Nevada ANP)

* [site-Yucca Mountain] Deadline looms on dust control agreement with EPA, Mark Waite, Pahrump Valley Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [uranium mining-Virginia] Governor wants to keep ban on mining uranium, for now, Michael Sluss, Roanoke Times (via Nevada ANP)

* [uranium mining-Virginia] Virginia Governor delays moratorium decision, World Nuclear News (via Nevada ANP)

* [uranium mining-Virginia] Hypocritical stance on mining, Larry Roach, letter to Danville Register & Bee (via Nevada ANP)

* [uranium mining-Virginia] Governor seeks more study on uranium mining, Rex Springston, Richmond Times Dispatch (via Nevada ANP)

* [uranium mining-Virginiauranium mining-Virginia] Gov. to Va. legislators: Keep uranium moratorium in place, Lynchburg News and Advance (via Nevada ANP)

* [US-National Science Bowl] Regional Competitions Begin for the 22nd Annual National Science Bowl, DOE (via Nevada ANP)

OTHER ENERGY NEWS

* [energy-oil-China-Brazil] China gets jump on U.S. for Brazil's oil; Two export pacts a coup for Beijing, Kelly Hearn, Washington Times front page story

* [energy-oil-pipeline break] Exxon Mobil will pay Montana $1.6 million over an oil pipeline break along scenic Yellowstone River, Washington Post, front page highlight of p. A3 story by Associated Press

* [energy-clean coal] Utility to Purchase Low-Carbon Power from Innovative Clean Coal Plant, DOE (via Nevada ANP)

* [energy-consumers] Green Button: Providing Consumers with Access to Their Energy Data, DOE (via Nevada ANP)

* [energy-oil-radiation] CCS says radioactive material taken to Colorado, Jacob Brooks, Williston Daily Herald (via Nevada ANP)

* [energy-oil-radiation] No option for haulers on rejected radioactive substances: Health concerns unaddressed, Dustin Ingram, Williston Daily Herald (via Nevada ANP)

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