Companies and individuals mentioned include: Barack Obama, GE, Westinghouse, Bruce Power, Bellafonte Nuclear Plant, NRC, William C. Ostendorff

US-UAE pact to bring billion dollar deals to GE and Westinghouse

The US has signed a civilian nuclear cooperation deal with the United Arab Emirates, according to a Reuters report.

The deal marks what government representatives are calling the new bargain to help prevent the spread of dangerous atomic technology.

"This is a new bargain for the Middle East region and the United States welcomes and applauds the UAE's decision," Ellen Tauscher, undersecretary for arms control, said at the signing ceremony.

The pact, which President Barack Obama approved in May and sent to Congress for a 90-day review period, is potentially worth billions of dollars to General Electric Co and Westinghouse Electric, a subsidiary of Toshiba Corp.

The Gulf state will import nuclear fuel, rather than develop its own ability to enrich and reprocess uranium.  

The administration of former President George W. Bush signed the UAE agreement just days before leaving office in January.

The UAE is the world's third-largest oil exporter, but it is planning to build a number of nuclear reactors to meet an expected need for an additional 40,000 megawatts, said the report.

The Obama administration has underscored that the agreement contains unprecedented commitments that ensure the UAE will not use American technology to develop a nuclear weapon or to help others in the region to do so.

Alberta Energy Minister says no to public nuclear funding

Local newspaper reports in Alberta Canada have revealed that its Energy Minister Alberta Mel Knight is against investing public dollars into any future nuclear energy plants.

While local residents have mixed feelings about a new power plant, the fact that no public money will be invested into new projects, places a big question as to whether private funding will become available.

Duncan Hawthorne of Ontario-based Bruce Power, has been reported to show interest in building a $10bn nuclear power plant project to Peace River, which is 385 kilometres northwest of Edmonton.

No plans have been made as unstable financial markets are making it tough for businesses to raise the finance they need for such huge, long-term construction projects.

However, Bruce Power spokesman Steve Cannon said that the lack of public-sector funds is irrelevant in the decision-making process.

“Last summer, Bruce Power shelved a plan to build two new nuclear power stations in Ontario citing plunging electricity demand,” said a Globe and Mail report.

“That came on the heels of the Ontario government's decision to cancel a plan to build a publicly backed new nuclear plant, citing high costs.”

Mark Winfield, a York University environmental studies professor, said in the newspaper report that Alberta does not have a high nuclear energy demand given the abundance of coal in the area.

“Even if there were the potential for demand, private capital just won't engage with nuclear unless governments in effect are prepared to eat a large portion of the risk,” he said.

Decision to rebuild Tennessee’s Bellafonte plant set for April

There are still fears among citizens in the US about the safety of existing and a new generation of nuclear power plants.

Case in point is the Bellefonte Nuclear Plant in Scottsboro, Tennessee, where discussions are currently being held among local citizens and the Tennessee Valley Authority Board of Directors as to whether the nuclear plant will have a negative impact on the local environment.

However, there are locals, including legal professionals, who believe that a decision to build new reactors could represent a rising star for future jobs, which are much needed in the area.

The TVA board is still undecided as to whether they will finish the Bellefonte plant, build another one or do nothing, said a report in the Huntsville Times. But they are expecting to make a decision on the future of the plant by next March.

At least that is when the board is expected to have completed studies about its options and recommendations from experts in various fields including safety, the environment and finances, said Jack Bailey, TVA's vice president of nuclear generation.

"It will all come together" by March in time for the board to address and possibly decide the issue at its April meeting, he said.

The public has by December 28 to submit written comments to TVA about the Bellefonte options.

The board will use the statement in deciding whether to finish one of Bellefonte's two existing units, build a new unit or take no action.

Obama nominates Commissioner to Nuclear Regulatory Commission

US President Barack Obama has announced his intent to nominate William C. Ostenforff as the Commissioner to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Ostendorff is currently the Director of the Committee on Science, Engineering and Public Policy and Director of the Board on Global Science and Technology at the National Academies. 

He came to the National Academies after serving as Principal Deputy Administrator at the National Nuclear Security Administration from April 2007 until April 2009.