Russia’s new nuclear reactor nears commissioningCompanies mentioned include: Atomenergoproekt, Rosenergoatom, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Professional Service Industries Inc, USEC Inc, U.S. Department of Energy, Toshiba America Nuclear Energy Corp., Babcock & Wilcox, Japan’s Ministry of Environment, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Hokkaido Electric Power Co, Kocen, Korea Electric Power Company, and the International Atomic Energy Agency.Policy and Commission Update 18- 26 August 2011

A new Russian nuclear reactor is approaching its commissioning phase, as tests are carried out at the Kalinin nuclear power plant, 200km northwest of Moscow. Dummy fuel has been loaded into the power plant while tests of main plant systems are being performed at operational temperatures and pressures.

The current early commissioning phase will ensure that coolant circuits and nuclear safety systems are running properly before nuclear fuel is loaded. Kalinin 4 is a V-320 model VVER-1000 pressurized water reactor, and units 1 and 2 at the site are V-338 model VVER-1000s.The reactor is being built by Nizhny Novgorod-based Atomenergoproekt for Rosenergoatom. Following tests, it is expected to start commercial operation in October, taking Russia's nuclear generation capacity to more than 24,000MWe.

NRC issues $15,000 fine and confirmatory order to Professional Service Industries, Inc

A $15,000 civil penalty and Confirmatory Order has been issued by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to Professional Service Industries, Inc. (PSI) for safety and security related violations involving the performance of industrial radiography by PSI’s employees.  The inspection, conducted by the NRC’s Office of Investigations at PSI’s office in Rock Springs and at a temporary job site in Wyoming, found that a manager at the Rock Springs office wilfully assigned an individual to perform radiography, knowing the person was not qualified, and that the individual who performed the radiography knew he was not properly qualified.
 
As a result of an Alternative Dispute Resolution meeting, PSI agreed to abide by a Confirmatory Order and pay a $15,000 fine as part of the order. The legally-binding Confirmatory Order outlines a number of actions PSI has agreed to take, which will include developing and implementing a disciplinary program for radiation safety and security infractions; providing enhanced training to radiographers and assistant radiographers; providing training to radiation safety officers; and enhancing annual reviews of the Radiation Safety Program. PSI has agreed to address these issues and to send the NRC a letter documenting completion of the actions within 30 days after they are accomplished.

Investors give USEC more time to secure loan guarantee

USEC Inc. has a few more weeks to secure a loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), after a new agreement was settled with investors Toshiba America Nuclear Energy Corp. and Babcock & Wilcox (B&W) to extend the investment deadline through September 30, 2011.
 
The amended agreement provides a limited additional period of time for USEC to secure a a $2 billion loan guarantee with the DOE, to support the construction of the American Centrifuge Plant and achieve the closing of the second phase of Toshiba and B&W's investment in USEC. Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown urged approval of the loan guarantee, but said he believes the administration is working actively to ensure USEC's finances are in order first.

Japan to place new nuclear agency under the Environment Ministry

In the wake of the crisis at the Fukushima nuclear power plant, the Japanese Government is setting up a new nuclear safety agency under the Environment Ministry rather than the Cabinet Office. The option of placing the agency under the Cabinet Office will be dropped because of its close "ties" with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Government officials plan to place the new agency under the Ministry of the Environment by as early as this month and have it up and running by April 2012.

Restart of Japan's Hokkaido Electric reactor approved

Japan's Hokkaido Electric Power Co has won local backing for commercial operation of a nuclear reactor that has been operating in a grey zone, a Reuters report said. However, the change in status of the 912MW Tomari No.3 reactor does not mean the plant’s energy output will be boosted, as the reactor has been operating in "test status" since four days prior to the March 11 disaster.

The Tomari No.3 will operate for just a few months, since it must be halted by the end of May 2012 for its next round of maintenance. Japan’s halted reactors - 39 of its total 54 reactors - must now undergo "stress tests" first to confirm their safety.

Kocen awarded $35.5m for UAE nuclear power plant quality control system

South Korea’s Kocen has won a $35.5 million (25million euros) contract for a range of quality-control services supporting the planned Braka nuclear power plant in the UAE, including on-site checks at manufacturing bases.

The contract will see Kocen supervise the suitability of materials and equipment to ensure parts meet specification in liaison with Korea Electric Power Company (KEPCO), which leads the consortium building the Braka units. It will also operate a concrete laboratory for analyzing samples throughout the construction period, and will set up a drawing and document control system for the management and computerization of files related to architectural engineering, construction and supply chain.

U.N. atomic agency wants wider nuclear safety checks

Under a draft action plan to prevent any repeat of Japan's nuclear crisis, the U.N. atomic agency will carry out international safety inspections of 10% of the world's reactor units over a three-year period.
 The document from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), obtained by Reuters, outlined a series of measures in ten areas to help improve global nuclear safety after the Fukushima disaster.

Among the proposed steps in the Nuclear Safety Action Plan, the IAEA would "organize operational safety reviews ... of one nuclear power unit in ten over a period of three years". The Vienna-based agency also plans to conduct regular assessments of national regulatory bodies, the draft said, in an attempt to ensure they were sufficiently independent and resourced to be able to work effectively.
The draft will be discussed by diplomats of the agency's member states ahead of the U.N. body's decision-making General Conference next month.

Japan eyes global nuclear compensation treaty

Japan is considering joining a U.S.-led global nuclear compensation treaty in a bid to avoid excessive overseas damage claims related to nuclear accidents, the Nikkei newspaper reported. The U.S., Morocco, Romania and Argentina have agreed to the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage, but the treaty requires at least five countries in order to go into effect.

The newspaper said Japan would start discussions with the United States in the coming week over the pact, which defines the rules for trials over damage claims in countries where accidents happen. Japan may be hit with huge damage claims over the Fukushima plant meltdown. However, the treaty would not cover damages related to the accident because it took place prior to its ratification, the newspaper said. Japan expects more countries, specifically in Asia where several nuclear power plants are being constructed, to join such a treaty.