Volume 6 - November 2024

In our latest edition of NENSC News, the Nuclear Energy and National Security Coalition (NENSC) brings you the latest industry news, events you don’t want to miss, and policies we are watching. Be sure to keep scrolling to learn how you can follow us and stay up to date with the latest information you need.

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LEAD STORY

NENSC Hosts Webinar on The Role of Nuclear Energy in the Evolving National Security Landscape

On November 20^th, NENSC’s hosted a webinar on "The Role of Nuclear Energy in the Evolving National Security Landscape,” during which Adm. Richard Mies USN (Ret.), Former Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration Lisa Gordon-Hagerty, and Former Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman offered their perspectives on the critical intersection of nuclear energy and national security. Mies and Poneman serve as NENSC’s Co-Chairs, while Gordon-Hagerty is a member of the NENSC Expert Council.

U.S. LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS

2024 Elections and Presidential Transition

President-Elect Trump Considered Supportive of Nuclear Energy: President-Elect Donald Trump’s support of nuclear energy has been covered by several news outlets across the political spectrum since his election as the 47^th President of the U.S. earlier this month. CNBC's segment on The Exchange, titled "What Nuclear Energy Could Look Like Under Trump," examined the stock performance of publicly traded companies and a discussion on potential streamlining of environmental reviews to expedite the addition of reactors at existing nuclear plants.

Trump Cabinet Begins to Take Shape: President-Elect Trump selected Chris Wright to be nominated for Secretary of Energy in his cabinet. Wright is the CEO of Liberty Energy, a hydraulic fracturing company, and he serves on the board of Oklo. Trump also selected Doug Burgum, the governor of North Dakota, to be nominated for Secretary of the Interior and, concurrently, to serve as the Chairman of new “National Energy Council.” The National Energy Council will coordinate energy policy across the federal government, specifically focusing on energy permitting, production, generation, distribution, regulation, and transportation issues. Burgum will also have a seat on the National Security Council.

Nuclear Energy Set for Bipartisan Momentum in Next Congress: Nuclear energy is primed for bipartisan progress in the upcoming Congress, with both Republicans and Democrats interested in expanding it, according to this article [Paywall]. Lawmakers may build on the recent ADVANCE Act, aiming to ease Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regulations for next-generation reactors. A federal backstop proposal to fund over-budget nuclear projects could also gain traction, although Republicans might push for reallocating funds from existing renewable energy programs rather than new spending. Nuclear's potential to meet rising power demands from data centers has also strengthened its appeal.

Other Domestic Developments

Support Grows for Anti-China/Russia Congressional Resolution: Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) has joined as a cosponsor of Rep. Donalds' (R-FL) H. Res. 1395, which states that it is unacceptable for China and Russia to surpass the United States in civil nuclear production and global nuclear market share. The resolution is also supported by three additional cosponsors: Reps. Troy Nehls (R-TX), Brandon Williams (R-NY), and French Hill (R-AR). You can read the full text here.

Marzano NRC Nomination Approved by Senate Committee: The U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee on November 20^th advanced the nomination of Matthew Marzano to serve as a member of the NRC by a vote of 10-9 with no Republican support. The nomination now heads to the full Senate for consideration.

Capito and Duncan Clash with NRC Over ADVANCE Act Implementation: Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC) have challenged the NRC staff’s interpretation of a key provision of the ADVANCE Act. While the bill directs the NRC to ensure the licensing process does not ‘unnecessarily limit’ the societal benefits of nuclear energy, the Commission’s General Counsel has argued that the law does not alter the agency’s core mission of protecting public health and safety or require consideration of nuclear energy’s broader societal benefits. Capito and Duncan argue that this interpretation falls short of the law’s intent to expand the NRC’s mission.

USG and South Korea to Explore Nuclear MOU: The United States and South Korea announced the exploration of an MOU between both countries focused on nuclear exports and cooperation. The MOU will focus on both countries' commitment to expanding peaceful nuclear energy with strict adherence to nonproliferation, safety, and security standards while also enhancing cooperation on export controls on civil nuclear technology. The MOU is now being considered by leadership in both countries.

Utah Embraces Advanced Nuclear Energy Potential: At a conference in Park City, Utah leaders, including Rep. Curtis (R-UT) and Senate President Stuart Adams, emphasized the state's readiness to adopt advanced nuclear technology to address rising energy demands and reduce carbon emissions. Despite past setbacks like the cancellation of the Carbon Free Power Project, officials believe bipartisan support for streamlined licensing can pave the way for Utah's leadership in energy innovation.

NRC Seeks Public Comment on Diablo Canyon EIS: The NRC is seeking public comment on its draft supplemental environmental impact statement regarding the license renewal of Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant Units 1 and 2 in Avila Beach, California. The NRC staff’s preliminary conclusion indicates no environmental impacts would preclude renewing the licenses for an additional 20 years. Public meetings were scheduled for November 14 and 20, with comments accepted until December 16.

INTERNATIONAL NUCLEAR DEVELOPMENTS

COP 29

The 2024 United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan has resulted in several significant nuclear announcements.

Biden Administration Releases Strategy on Nuclear: As a deliverable for COP29, the Biden Administration released a paper titled "Safely and Responsibly Expanding U.S. Nuclear Energy: Deployment Targets and a Framework for Action." The framework identifies nine key pillars for expansion, including building new reactors, improving licensing, enhancing supply chains, and responsibly managing spent fuel. These pillars cover over 30 actions that the US government can take within existing statutory authorities and also include action items for the US nuclear industry and power customers.

Six New Countries Join Tripling Nuclear Pledge: Six new countries – El Salvador, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Nigeria, and Türkiye - joined the Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy. The Declaration was first announced at COP28 in Dubai with an initial endorsement from 25 countries.

IAEA and EBRD Sign MOU: The IAEA and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) signed an MOU to expand their collaboration in the nuclear energy sector. The partnership will focus on capacity building, energy policy, governance, and financing frameworks while addressing nuclear safety and promoting gender equality. It also aligns with the IAEA's Atoms4NetZero initiative, which highlights nuclear energy's role in decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors.

US and Ukraine Announce New FIRST SMR Projects: The US Department of State (DoS) and the Ukraine Ministry of Energy announced three new SMR projects under the DoS' Foundational Infrastructure for the Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology (FIRST) program. The three projects will help position Ukraine to take a leadership role in nuclear energy and industrial decarbonization.

France and Germany Reach Nuclear Energy Compromise for COP29: France and Germany reached a compromise ahead of the COP29 climate summit, agreeing to recognize nuclear energy as one of several "low-emission technologies" for reducing carbon emissions. This marks a shift towards greater support for nuclear power in Europe, though German resistance remains strong due to concerns about diverting funds from renewables. Other EU countries, including the Czech Republic, have backed a diverse energy approach to accelerate decarbonization. Public opinion on nuclear energy is rising in Europe, even in Germany, especially after the closure of reactors during the energy crisis.

Romania's Cernavoda Expansion Contracts to Be Signed: EnergoNuclear, a subsidiary of Romania's Nuclearelectrica, is set to sign a contract in November 2024 for the development of Units 3 and 4 at the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant. The agreement, to be finalized during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, involves a consortium including U.S.-based Fluor and Sargent & Lundy, Canada's Atkins Realis, and Italy's Ansaldo. The project has secured funding commitments from the U.S. Export-Import Bank, Canada, and Italy, totaling approximately $7.2 billion.

Other International Developments

Japan's First Boiling Water Reactor Restarts After 13 Years: Tohoku Electric Power Company has restarted Unit 2 at the Onagawa nuclear power plant, marking the first restart of a boiling water reactor since the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. The unit is expected to resume power generation by early November 2024 after completing safety assessments and upgrades required by Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority. Tohoku aims to prioritize safety and community understanding as it moves toward further nuclear operations, including plans for Onagawa Unit 3.

South Korea Breaks Ground on Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4: South Korea has begun construction on units 3 and 4 of the Shin Hanul nuclear power plant, following the completion of units 1 and 2. The APR1400 units are expected to be finished by 2032 and 2033. President Yoon Seok-yeol emphasized a nuclear renaissance in the country, reversing previous policies aimed at phasing out nuclear energy.

EU's Push to Restrict Russian Nuclear Industry Faces Orbán's Veto: The European Union is considering new sanctions on Russia's nuclear sector to reduce energy dependency on Moscow. However, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán remains a significant obstacle, as he has vowed to block any measures restricting Russia's civilian nuclear industry, especially due to Hungary's collaboration with Russia on a nuclear power plant. Despite efforts to find compromises, such as limiting Russian involvement in future nuclear projects, Orbán's opposition poses a major challenge. Some EU countries have already started distancing themselves from Russian nuclear ties, while others seek ways to continue cooperation with Moscow on nuclear technology.

Latin American Countries are Exploring Nuclear Power: Latin American countries are increasingly exploring nuclear power, particularly SMRs, as a solution for remote regions without access to power grids. Nations like Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico are advising others, with El Salvador recently passing a nuclear energy law and planning to build a research reactor. SMRs are seen as a more affordable and flexible alternative to large-scale plants. While countries like Paraguay consider traditional nuclear plants, the challenges of high costs and long timelines remain. Bolivia, Peru, and other nations are also pursuing small nuclear projects for energy and medical purposes.

Rosatom at African Energy Week: At African Energy Week 2024 in Cape Town, Rosatom showcased its latest nuclear technologies, including virtual tours of the Novovoronezh Nuclear Power Plant and a floating nuclear power plant. Rosatom also organized a panel discussion titled "From Vision to Action: Navigating a Just Energy Transition for Africa through Green Innovation" and signed a memorandum with South African firm AllWeld Nuclear and Industrial to collaborate on decommissioning and radioactive waste management.