Nuclear Energy Is the New Black

At a conference on the future of nuclear power, International Atomic Energy Agency director Mohamed ElBaradei "pointed to nuclear energy policy plans in China, Finland, the United States and possibly Poland as proof that nuclear power may be returning to vogue." U.S. Energy Secretary Sam Bodman said, "America hasn't ordered a new nuclear power plant since the 1970s and it's time to start building again." Recently released "internal Energy Department email messages" suggest that some work done "in preparation for seeking a license to open a nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain in Nevada" was falsified. A department spokesperson said the discovery was a positive sign of "quality-assurance procedures." Our next issue of PR Watch focuses on the nuclear industry - if you're not already subscribed, sign up today!

Comments

The New Black... or the New Red ? France is about to go for a not-quite-next-gen reactor (EPR technology) : officially, the aim of the game is to prepare the replacement of all nuclear plants in France (starting from the 2020s), but actually China is the game. The question is not IF (YES) nor even WHEN (A.S.A.P.) the Chinese will decide to invest in nuclear energy but on which solution. The French are competing with the US and betting on the EPR techno, but without any facility to exhibit to their potential customers. My guess is China could go for their own solution, just ordering a few units to ease the energy crunch and prepare a more massive approach. In the end, 2 or 3 technologies might be rolled out, just like with 3G in mobile communications ("Europe's" W-CDMA, USA's CDMA2000 and China's TD-SCDMA). Sam W. Bodman used to work for such investors as American Research and Development Corporation (AMRAD - I don't know if there is any connection with AMRAD.com, "American Radiation Services, Inc. is a radiological laboratory and services company providing a variety of reliable, cost effective services to the government and industry."), Fidelity Venture Associates (Fidelity Investment), Cabot Corporation. More on http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/bodman-bio.html. Stephane MOT http://www.stephanemot.com - http://mot-bile.blogspot.com