Bottorff says TVA 'pause' on nukes is timely

Expressing confidence that nuclear remains a TVA power option going forward, Nashville-based Chairman Denny Bottorff said it's a good time for TVA to pause and review its plans. Bottorff is also founder of Council Ventures, the Nashville-based VC. The TFP has it.

Alexander on Nuclear

Long a proponent of U.S. nuclear energy and power generation, U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) counsels moderation in reacting to the tragedy in Japan. The KNS has it.

Reactor safety

Oak Ridge National Laboratory has a group that focuses on Reactor safety and siting. Related WBIR story. Related KNS story on ORNL research reactor earthquake resistance.

TN plant's nuke waste venture

Erwin, Tenn.-based Studsvik Holding has entered a pact with Utah-based EnergySolutions to provide blended nuclear waste services, Deseret News via KNS here.

Nexgen nuclear concerns

From Wired, news of Chinese advances in next-generation nuclear energy that one executive says is a threat to U.S. competitiveness. HT:ORNL.

President Obama cites ORNL

President Obama's State of the Union Address noted Oak Ridge National Laboratory work underway to help nuclear-reactor operators simulate operations on supercomputers. The KNS reports. Frost and Jaguar systems play a role. Related ORNL release.

START treaty benefits to ORNL (more)

Frank Munger of the KNS provides further perspective on U.S. Senators Alexander and Corker's support for a new Strategic Arms Limitations Talks (START) Treaty, recently ratified by Congress, and its benefits for Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the nation. The photo of Sens. Corker (L) and Alexander was taken during their 2009 tour of tornado-damaged areas of Rutherford County, according to material online.

ATC-Nuclear expands Oak Ridge presence

ATC-Nuclear, a company that tests commercial products for use in the nuclear environment, said it's moving its Chicago logistics operation to Oak Ridge, expanding its long-standing presence in Tennessee. ATC-Nuclear's parent HQs in New Jersey. The KNS reports.

TVA begins mini-nuclear plant work, workers get safety training

TVA plans to develop new mini-nuclear plants on an existing site, the TFP reports. Meanwhile, a TVA grant and some help from Unum allow a Chattanooga painters-trades union to help workers attain safety certification to work in nuclear facilities. The TFP reports.

Sen. Alexander's nuclear push faces obstacles

Environmentalists, economists and others are challenging Sen. Lamar Alexander's push to build more U.S. nuclear energy plants. The Tennessean reports, Jan. 18.

War footing for U.S. Energy

Sen. Lamar Alexander and a Democrat co-sponsor have introduced the Clean Energy Act, calling for creating mini-Manhattan Projects and coming close to likening support for more Nuclear power to surrender to enemies, which are unnnamed. Chattanoogan.com reports.

ORNL director on Fusion

Oak Ridge NL Director Thom Mason told Chairman Bart Gordon's House Science Committee yesterday about ORNL's role in the international effort to achieve energy production through nuclear fusion, and effort underway since at least the Fifties. Here's Frank Munger's KNS column. Here's the international ITER team's site. Here's a backgrounder on fusion.

Stakeholders watch TVA

TVA yesterday announced members of its new Stakeholder Review Group, which is tasked with providing feedback on TVA's power-generation and marketing plans. Members include executives with TN Economic and Community Development, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, and others.

Noog's nuclear news

In Chattanooga, Toshiba Group's Westinghouse Electric training facility is preparing to meet rising demand for nuclear reactors. The TFP reports.

Tilting at Windmills

U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, in recent years a staunch advocate for nuclear-powered energy plants, this week issued another broadside against the Obama Administration's push to further subsidize wind-to-energy, and a nation of windmills. The release is here.

USEC's nuclear 'shock'

Bethesda-based USEC Inc., which has strong ties to Oak Ridge National Laboratory, announced a blow this morning, in the form of DOE denying its application for a $2 billion loan guarantee to support an Ohio centrifuge project that would help generate enriched uranium for nuclear power plants. The company's release is here. USEC earlier laid-out its case for the guarantee, here. The Chillicothe Gazette provides background.

ORNL interships prep students for Nuclear Engineering

If Sen. Lamar Alexander and other advocates have their way, the nation will be needing tens of thousands of new engineers with nuclear experience. This 7-year-old Oak Ridge National Lab program now has 50 undergrads participating. Related WTVC story.

TFP: State has strong foothold in Green industries

The Times Free Press' Dave Flessner provides one of the more comprehensive reviews of the state's recent industry-recruitment and green-industry initiatives. The TFP photo at left shows Revenue Commissioner Reagan Farr (left) and ECD Commissioner Matt Kisber during their interview. They were scheduled to depart Nashville today for Europe, accompanying the governor on a Green-industry hunting expedition.