Nuclear Waste: Intelligence Summary 05 February 2007 – 11 February 2007

Taiwan May Vote Next Year On Site For Nuclear Waste
07 February 2007

CHINA POST (TAIPEI) - After failed bids to move the radioactive material to Russia, China and North Korea, Taiwan may ask residents near four sites of a proposed nuclear waste dump to vote on the plan next year. The selected site will get NT$5 billion in compensation. Taipower, the island's biggest power producer (and the state-owned utility) runs nuclear plants that supply more than a fifth of the electricity on an island where the 200 earthquakes that strike in an average year have heightened public opposition toward the use of reactors. Taipower had agreements with North Korea and Russia for nuclear waste disposal. [US interests] have blocked the plan to store waste in North Korea because facilities there are "inadequate," while Russia has since banned imports of nuclear waste. Source: http://www.chinapost.com.tw/news/archives/business/200727/101989.htm (Reliability: 3)

Nuclear Materials Control: Intelligence Summary 05 February-11 February 2007

Russia Pins Energy Hopes On New Nuclear Monopoly
08 February 2007

RIA NOVOSTI (MOSCOW) - President Vladimir Putin recently signed the so-called "tunnel law," which is opening new vistas for Russia's civilian nuclear power industry. The law is designed to rationalize the legal and institutional conditions for the operation of the energy-and-industry sector, and make it more competitive internationally and more attractive for investment. It separates the Russian nuclear power sector into military and civilian parts. The law is designed to rationalize the legal and institutional conditions for the operation of the energy-and-industry sector, and make it more competitive internationally and more attractive for investment. It separates the Russian nuclear power sector into military and civilian parts. Source: http://en.rian.ru/analysis/20070208/60389611.html (Reliability: 7)

Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials: Intelligence Summary 05 February - 11 February 2007

Nuclear Power Plants Are Well Protected
09 February 2007

PANTAGRAPH.COM (WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Nuclear power plants are the nation's best-defended industrial facilities, in no small part because plant owners recognize that these facilities are vital to our nation's domestic energy supply and protect them accordingly. Since 2001, the industry has spent more than $1.5 billion on improving commercial nuclear plant security. We have increased the number of security officers by 60 percent to a total of 8,000 officers; increased the size and numbers of defensive weapons systems; extended plant security perimeters; increased the intensity of training, including ``force-on-force'' mock terrorism drills. Source: http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2007/02/10/opinion/letters/123310.txt (Reliability: 6.5)

International Safeguards: Intelligence Summary 05 February - 11 February 2007

US Takes Step Toward Joining UN Nuclear Fuel Bank Project
07 February 2007

ENERGY DAILY (WASHINGTON, DC) - The US took a step toward joining a proposed UN-supervised international nuclear fuel bank aimed at deterring the spread of nuclear weapons. Tom Lantos, chairman of the House of Representatives committee on Foreign Affairs, introduced a bill on 7 February 2007 that authorizing US participation in a nuclear fuel bank. The bill drew immediate support from the Bush administration. IAEA director Mohamed Elbaradei proposed the idea of a fuel bank in September, 2006 as a way to keep countries like Iran from developing their own uranium enrichment programs. Source: http://www.energy-daily.com/reports/US_takes_step_toward_joining_UN_nuclear_fuel_bank_project_999.html (Reliability: 7)

Analysis: It is likely that the US will join the UN fuel bank to put pressure on Iran to give up its enrichment program. Keeping nuclear weapons out of the hands of countries like Iran and limiting the amount of uranium enrichment programs worldwide are issues that are too important to deal with unilaterally, so joining this bank will help the US in its dealings with Iran. (Analytic Confidence: 8)

Packaging & Transportation: Intelligence Summary 05 February - 11 February 2007

New York To Test Ways To Guard Against Nuclear Terror
08 February 2007

NEW YORK TIMES (WASHINGTON D.C.) - Starting in spring 2007 at a Staten Island port terminal, the federal government will assess new detection machines designed to screen cargo and distinguish between naturally occurring radiation and critical bomb-building ingredients. Later in 2007, the government plans to begin setting up an elaborate network of radiation alarms at some bridges, tunnels, roadways and waterways into New York. The detection equipment, some of which would be mobile, would be electronically connected and monitored. Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/09/nyregion/09nuke.html?em&ex=1171170000&en=6507810ff9f35d06&ei=5087%0A (Reliability: 7)

Analysis: It is unlikely that the government will test a similar network in any other U.S. city in 2007. The system carries a large cost and its effectiveness is unproven. (Analytic Confidence: 8)

Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials: Intelligence Summary 29 January - 4 February 2007

NRC Approves Final Rule Amending Security Requirements
29 January 2007

NRC NEWS (WASHINGTON) - The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved a final rule, protected from public disclosure, that enhances security regulations governing the design basis threat. NRC Chairman, Dale Klein stated, “Overall we are taking a multi-faceted approach to security enhancements in the post 9/11 threat environment, and looking at how best to secure existing nuclear power plants and how to incorporate security enhancements into design features of new reactors.” This rule, which provides modes of attack, weaponry capabilities and intentions of adversary, is the first of several planned security-related rules to enhance protection of nuclear power plants. Other rules being developed include proposals to add security assessment requirements for new power reactor designs; proposals to revise and update requirements for physical protection at existing and new reactors; and proposals to establish how technical requirements, including those related to security, are to be examined in applications for NRC review of new reactor designs and operations. Source: http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/news/2007/07-012.html (Reliability: 8.5)

Nuclear Materials Control: Intelligence Summary 29 January 2007- 04 February 2007

Savannah Facts Put Fears At Ease
04 February 2007

DAILY PRESS (NEWPORT NEWS) - It wasn't long ago the U.S. Maritime Administration termed the nuclear merchant ship Savannah a potential hazard to the Newport News Virginia area. In a 2003 document, the Administration said that the USS Savannah, then docked at the James River Reserve Fleet, could attract terrorists. The Maritime Administration "can no longer maintain the remnants of the ship's nuclear reactor," said the statement, still posted on the agency's web site Friday 2 February 2007. Now, however, the agency, also called MARAD (Maritime Administration), has a different take. Source: http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/dp-44524sy0feb04,0,137744.story?coll=dp-news-local-final (Reliability: 7.5)

Nonproliferation And Arms Control: Intelligence Summary 29 January-04 February 2007

Feds Update Nuclear Power Plant Security Regulations
29 January 2007

NCTIMES (WASHINGTON) - On January 29, 2007, US Federal government ordered nuclear power plant operators to ratchet up security to protect against terrorist attacks by land vehicles, boats and computers -- but declined to require protection against attacks from the sky. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission decided against ordering security measures against attacks like the ones carried out by al-Qaida terrorists on Sept. 11, 2001, because protection against airborne threats was the responsibility of the military and other agencies. Source: http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/01/30/news/top_stories/1_03_381_29_07.txt (Reliability: 7)

International Safeguards: Intelligence Summary 29 January 2007 - 4 February 2007

Emergency Shutdown At Russian Nuke Plant
30 January 2007

ASSOCIATED PRESS (MOSCOW) - An unspecified safety problem prompted an emergency shutdown at a Russian nuclear power plant, but there was no increase in radiation levels. The incident occurred in Saratov at the first unit of the Balakovo plant on Monday, 29 January 2007. The plant has 4 1,000-megawatt pressurized water reactors. Nuclear regulators said the problem was located and corrected on Tuesday, 30 January 2007. A false alarm occurred at the plant in 2004 after a turbine malfunction prompted a shutdown and sparked panic among nearby residents. Source: http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070130/russia_nuclear_shutdown.html?.v=1 (Reliability: 7)

Nuclear Waste: Intelligence Summary 29 January 2007 – 04 February 2007

Nuclear Wasteland
February 2007

IEEE SPECTRUM MAGAZINE (NEW YORK, NY) — Areva would clearly be interested in licensing its reprocessing and MOX Reactor technology to non-nuclear-weapons countries which do not choose to participate in the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP). The GNEP proposes that nations with “secure, advanced nuclear capabilities” reprocess the spent fuel from non-nuclear-weapons countries. However, without breeder reactors, which burn up all the residual fissile material found in spent fuels, reprocessing will simply concentrate high-level waste in a form that’s hotter and harder to handle. France’s attempt to build and run breeder reactors reliably at a commercial scale failed. Source: http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/feb07/4891 (Reliability: 5)

Analysis: It is highly likely that an increase in nuclear fuel reprocessing and the use of MOX fuel will increase nuclear proliferation, accidental criticalities (unexpected nuclear chain reactions during reprocessing), and nuclear accidents and contamination involving waste. (Analytic Confidence: 4)

Packaging & Transportation: Intelligence Summary 29 January 2007 - 04 February 2007

Strathmore Completes LOI With $8 Million Commitment From Yellowcake Mining
30 January 2007

MARKET WIRE (KELOWNA, BRITISH COLUMBIA)— Strathmore Minerals Corp. has entered into a binding letter of intent to form a joint venture with Yellowcake Mining Inc. to develop The Baggs, Juniper Ridge Project properties in Wyoming. The project is located in the Poison Basin uranium district in south central Wyoming. Strathmore will be in charge of all operations on the Baggs Property during the Earn-in Period. As part of the deal, Yellowcake will finance the evaluation of uranium prospects in Texas. Source: http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=209314 (Reliability: 9)

Nonproliferation And Arms Control: Intelligence Summary 22 January-28 January 2007

Wanted: Nuclear Power
28 January 2007

FOCUS INFORMATION AGENCY (Belgrade)- Almost all Balkan countries plan to build new, large nuclear power plants, the Serbian newspaper Vecernje Novosti writes. Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia and probably Croatia will invest in nuclear power plants, and Serbia, which is being criticized over the Strategy for Energy Development, which it adopted recently, plans to build a new thermal-electric power plant Kolubara by 2015. The new 700-mega watt plant is expected to satisfy the country’s energy needs. Serbia has a deficit of about 450 mega watts since the annual consumption increases constantly by about 4.5%. Source: http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?id=n104449 (Reliability: 7)

Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials: Intelligence Summary 15 January-21 January 2007

Blix: At least 10 Years Before Egypt And Jordan Can Launch Nuclear Programs
25 January 2007

ASSOCIATED PRESS (CAIRO, EGYPT) - Hans Blix, former U.N. chief weapons inspector, stated it would be at least a decade before Egypt and Jordan could launch a nuclear program. Iran's controversial nuclear program has prompted Egypt, Jordan and the Gulf Arab states to explore development of peaceful nuclear programs. These countries need to address operational safety, waste disposal safety, and nonproliferation prior to creating a nuclear program. Egypt’s Minister of Electricity and Energy, Hassan Yunis said Egypt could have a 1,000 megawatt operational nuclear power plant within 10 years at Al-Dabaa on the Mediterranean North coast with construction costs estimated at $1.5 billion. Source: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/01/25/africa/ME-GEN-Egypt-Nuclear.php?page=1 (Reliability: 7)

Nuclear Materials Control: Intelligence Summary 22 January 2007-28 January 2007

Russian City May Be Source For Uranium
27 January 2007

MYRTLE BEACH ONLINE (MOSCOW)-Novosibirsk is located in the depths of Siberia, but despite the remoteness, the city is one of Russia's main areas for nuclear activity and a cause of concern for those worried about nuclear materials falling into terrorists' hands. The concerns about Russia's third-largest city rose to the forefront recently after officials in the former Soviet republic of Georgia announced the arrest of a Russian man for allegedly trying to sell weapons-grade uranium to an undercover Georgian agent. Source: http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/news/world/16562498.htm (Reliability: 7.5)

Nuclear Waste: Intelligence Summary, 22 January 2007 - 28 January 2007

Nuke Lobby Will Use Care With Reid
26 January 2007

PAHRUMP VALLEY TIMES (WASHINGTON, DC) — Alex Flint, senior vice president of government affairs at The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), said that the NIE does not plan to push Congress for bills this year to speed waste disposal at Yucca Mountain. However, the NEI will nurture policies that encourage new nuclear plant construction, and will work to get the Energy Department (DOE) enough money from Congress to meet a June 30, 2008 deadline to submit a license application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The license application initiates a formal review for Yucca Mountain . "Our eggs are in that basket," Flint said. Source: http://www.pahrumpvalleytimes.com/2007/Jan-26-Fri-2007/news/12198065.html (Reliability: 4)

International Safeguards: Intelligence Summary 22 January 2007 - 28 January 2007

India And Russia In Nuclear Deal
25 January 2007

BBC (DELHI, INDIA) - Russia will build four nuclear reactors at Kudankulam, India. "Energy security is the most important of the emerging dimensions of our strategic partnership," said Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Singh also thanked Russia for its help in lifting international restrictions on nuclear cooperation. Russia is already helping India build two nuclear plants. Russia has identified India as a new market for its civilian nuclear technology. Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6298071.stm (Reliability: 8)

Packaging & Transportation: Intelligence Summary 22 January – 28 January 2007

Sandia Develops Next Generation Of Screening Devices
25 January 2007

Nanotechquire.com (Albuquerque, New MExico)— Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories are developing screening devices that will identify hazardous and toxic materials even if concealed by clothing and packaging materials. The goal is building a highly integrated miniaturized terahertz transmitter-receiver (transceiver) that could make a number of applications possible. In 2008, the researchers expect to have a working prototype capable of detecting the materials and chemicals by reading distinctive molecular spectral “signatures.” Source: http://nanotechwire.com/news.asp?nid=4247 (Reliability: 9)

Nonproliferation And Arms Control: Intelligence Summary 15 January-21 January 2007

Jordan’s King Says He Seeks ‘Peaceful’ Nuclear Program
19 January 2007

ASSOCIATED PRESS (JERUSALEM)— On January 19, 2007, Jordan's King Abdullah II told Haaretz, an Israeli newspaper, his country wants its own atomic program. It was the first time Abdullah spoke openly about desires for a Jordanian nuclear program. “The Egyptians are looking for a nuclear program. The GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) are looking at one, and we are actually looking at nuclear power for peaceful and energy purposes,” he told Haaretz. In Washington, the State Department indicated it had no objection to a peaceful Jordanian nuclear program. Source http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/20070119-0842-israel-jordan-nuclear.html (Reliability: 7.5)

Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials: Intelligence Summary 15 January-21 January 2007

Nuclear Chief Pushes For Safer Plants
16 January 2007

ASSOCIATED PRESS (WASHINGTON) - Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Dale Klein, announced on 18 January 2007 that future nuclear power plants should include design improvements to better protect against a terrorist attack by large aircraft. The NRC plans to provide design guidance to reactor manufacturers on what the reactors should be able to withstand. Klein explains, "The new reactors will be more robust than the existing fleet." The NRC is gearing up for a rush of applications for new nuclear power reactors, expecting to receive four or five firm applications in 2007, with another eight likely in 2008. Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070116/ap_on_go_ot/reactors_ap_interview_1 (Reliability: 7)

International Safeguards: Intelligence Summary 15 January 2007 - 21 January 2007

Sanctions Could Escalate Iran Standoff: El Baradei
18 January 2007

WAPO (PARIS) - The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog, Mohammed El Baradei, said on 18 January 2007 sanctions against Iran could escalate a standoff over its nuclear program and called for a new impetus to break the deadlock. "I don't think sanctions will resolve the issue. I think sanctions, in my view, could lead to escalation on both sides," El Baradei said. The new sanctions ban transfer of nuclear materials and expertise to Iran. The U.N. resolution set a 60-day deadline for Iran to halt nuclear fuel work. If it does not, the Security Council could weigh broader, tougher resolutions. Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/18/AR2007011801192.html (Reliability: 7)

Nuclear Materials Control: Intelligence Summary 15 January-21 January 2007

Russian Lawmakers Pass Bill On Nuclear Reform In Second Reading
17 January 2007

RIA NOVOSTI (MOSCOW)-The State Duma, the lower house of Russia's parliament, passed in the second reading Wednesday 17 January 2007, a presidential bill to reform Russia's nuclear power sector and facilitate its development. The document, which lawmakers adopted in the first reading last December 2006, aims to establish a state-controlled holding company, Atomenergoprom, using the sector's civilian assets. Furthermore, the reform bill would subsequently allow other Russian corporate entities to possess non-weapons-grade nuclear materials, nuclear installations and nuclear storage facilities. Source: http://en.rian.ru/russia/20070117/59218954.html (Reliability: 7)

Nuclear Waste: Intelligence Summary 15 January 2007 – 21 January 2007

Decision May Affect Waste Storage
19 January 2007

BRATTLEBORO REFORMER (BRATTLEBORO, VERMONT) —The Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled in June 2006 that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) erred when it refused to consider the environmental effects of a terrorist attack on a proposed dry cask site at the San Luis Obispo nuclear power plant in California. The NRC appealed the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court. On 16 January 2007 the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the appeal. “This case establishes a precedent that could apply to any NRC licensing action," said Gordon Thompson of Mothers For Peace, one of the organizations that sued the NRC. Source: http://www.reformer.com/headlines/ci_5044640 (Reliability: 5)

Packaging & Transportation: Intelligence Summary 15 January 2007 – 21 January 2007

Thresher Industries Subsidiary, Talon Composites, Receives Patent On Talbor(R) Material For Exclusive Use In Highly Specialized Transport Of Nuclear Fuel
17 January 2007

MARKET WATCH (HANFORD, CALIFORNIA)— Talon Composites, a wholly owned subsidiary of Thresher industries, has received a US patent for the fabrication of their metal matrix material called Talbor®. Talon uses this material and technology to make shielding plates that achieve high neutron absorption utilizing a very fine grain structure and greater homogeneous disbursement of Boron. This technology enables nuclear fuel companies to implement safer and more effective fuel transport strategies. Source: http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=204175 (Reliability: 9)