News Roundup

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Entergy requests another extension from NRC on spinoff plan
Entergy is asking the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to extend for six months its approval of the company's plan to spin off some of its nuclear reactors into a separate unit. The NRC in July granted Entergy a six-month extension of its approval that is set to expire Jan. 28. Brattleboro Reformer (Vt.) (11/13)

Duke still on board with reprocessed-fuel testing program
Duke Energy rejected claims from anti-nuclear activists that it is no longer complying with an Energy Department program that requires it to use mixed-oxide fuel in its nuclear power facilities. Friends of the Earth said Duke has ceased tests on MOX fuel, adding that the reprocessed source was not reloaded into the company's reactor during regular cycle maintenance. The company acknowledged it did not proceed with reloading, but said that was a normal part of the test procedure. Charleston Regional Business Journal (S.C.) (11/13)

N.Y. nuclear plant clears NRC security inspection
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission cleared the Indian Point nuclear plants in New York after conducting an inspection of security measures at the facilities. Inspectors identified three issues of low security significance that were "promptly corrected or compensated for," the agency said. Mid-Hudson News Network (Middletown, N.Y.) (11/13)

N.H. nuclear plant receives NRC citation for faulty generator
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has cited NextEra Energy's Seabrook facility in New Hampshire with a low-to-moderate safety-significance finding, which will mean heightened monitoring via supplemental inspections. The finding stemmed from an earlier incident in which one of the site's emergency backup diesel generators failed a test because of a leak in the cooling system. The Daily News (Newburyport, Mass.) (11/14)

San Antonio mayor mulls backing away from nuclear-expansion project
San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro said he is prepared to withdraw from the planned expansion of the South Texas Project nuclear plant if CPS Energy officials don't come up with a lower cost estimate for the proposal. Toshiba, the project's Japanese contractor, has provided a cost estimate that is higher than CPS's projection of $13 billion. CPS officials traveled to Japan last week to discuss the higher estimate with Toshiba and are expected to disclose the results of negotiations during a board meeting today. San Antonio Express-News (11/13)

Policy Watch

Lawmakers use nuclear energy to bolster support for climate bill
As international climate talks draw near, U.S. lawmakers seem to be banking on nuclear power to help advance the country's climate-change bill. As part of efforts to gain support for the legislation, Sens. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., and Jim Webb, D-Va., said they would advance a plan today aiming to "promote further research and development of the nation's clean-energy technologies" such as nuclear power. Google/Agence France-Presse (11/15)

Management & Leadership

Worker testimonials help sell a company to job seekers
To attract job seekers to your company, use employee testimonials on your Web site that show a typical employee workday; demonstrate the company culture; or discuss perks and benefits. An American Psychological Association study found job applicants are more attracted to organizations with such testimonials. Where Great Workplaces Start blog (11/10)

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International

South Korea turns up as key bidder for nuclear-plant construction
South Korea is being considered as one of the contractors for the United Arab Emirates' $40 billion nuclear energy project. The Korean group, led by Korea Electric Power, reportedly provided a bid that is "far more competitive than anyone first thought" to rival French companies, including industry leader Areva, and a U.S.-Japanese consortium. The Wall Street Journal (11/16)

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