RW Monitor
12/5/2014
IN THE NRC
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is seeking public comment on its draft Interim Staff Guidance document for the review of security exemptions at decommissioning plants, according to a notice in the Federal Register this week. If approved, the guidance would help establish a consistent review process for exemption requests from decommissioning plants. With the latest wave of plants entering decommissioning, the NRC is looking at ways to streamline the process so license requirements can better reflect the risk of a shutdown reactor. According to the NRC, this guidance would help deliver timely reviews. “This draft ISG would provide guidance to NRC staff in processing exemption requests and license amendments from the security requirements for nuclear power reactors that are undergoing the process of decommissioning,” the notice says. “Use of this draft ISG would result in consistent and timely reviews of requests for exemption from certain security regulations.” Comments are due by Jan. 8, 2015.
IN THE INDUSTRY
Waste Control Specialists briefed the local Andrews, Texas, community this week on the possibility of hosting high-level waste. Earlier this year, WCS initiated contact with community leader s on their willingness to storing HLW at the facility. Texas state leadership, including Gov. Rick Perry (R) and Speaker of the House Joe Straus (R), have voiced their support for looking at the potential of hosting an interim storage facility, and local Andrews community leaders have said it deserves more consideration, as long as it is safe to the public. The briefing included presentations from WCS CEO Bill Lindquist and President Rod Baltzer, AREVA Vice President Jeff Jackson, and Andrews County Judge Richard Dolgener. According to local reports, close to 300 people attended the event.
Danny Nichols has officially joined EnergySolutions as its new Vice President for Processing Facilities, the company announced this week. RW Monitor first reported in early November that EnergySolutions was in talks to hire Nichols, who last worked for Babcock and Wilcox and served as President and Project Manager of Idaho Treatment Group, LLC, responsible for the Idaho Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project. ITG is led by B&W and includes URS and EnergySolutions. In his new role, Nichols will be responsible for the operation of EnergySolutions’ processing facilities in Tenneesse (Oak Ridge, Erwin and Memphis), Barnwell, S.C. and Canada. “With more than 25 years of radioactive waste experience, Danny has a strong understanding of both commercial and DOE operations and is well known in the industry for both his leadership and technical competence,” John Christian, President of EnergySolutions, Logistics, Processing and Disposal, said in a release.
U.S. Nuclear Infrastructure Council (NIC) Chairman Eric Knox announced this week he will step down from his position “to allow for new ideas and perspectives.” Knox served as Chair for three years, and he will continue to serve as Chairman Emeritus of the Executive Committee. The NIC is a membership organization dedicated to the advocacy of new nuclear and engagement of the American supply chain globally, and Knox said in a memo to members he wants to allow others in the organization a chance with leadership opportunities. “The strength of NIC comes from the diverse companies and participants who represent the Nuclear Industry and constitute our membership,” Knox said in his memo. “Because we are a membership organization, I believe it is important for the leadership of the organization to be refreshed regularly to allow for new ideas and perspectives and to allow more member organizations an opportunity to participate in leadership.”
