Podcasts about holtec

'Essentially zero risk to workers,' says company Holtec is still trying to determine how soil at the Indian Point nuclear power plant near Philipstown became contaminated with radioactive material. Although the radiation levels are not considered dangerous - a Holtec official said at a May 1 meeting of the Indian Point Decommissioning Oversight Board that a person would have to "ingest many pounds" of the dirt to reach even 1/10th of the allowable federal limits - the contamination is a concern because it was discovered far from where any of the three reactors were located or where nuclear waste is stored. Holtec, which began decommissioning the closed plant in 2021, reported the contamination at the December meeting of the Decommissioning Oversight Board. It was detected when Holtec was investigating building a data center and conducted surface soil sampling around a training center on the southern end of the site. The tests detected elevated levels of cesium-137, a byproduct of nuclear fission. "The levels are low, but it still needs to be remediated," said Frank Spagnuolo of Holtec. Don Mayer, who worked at Indian Point for more than 30 years, beginning in 1981, and now is part of the decommissioning team, said the radiation was low enough to be "essentially zero risk to workers." Nevertheless, the contamination is being treated as radioactive waste and is being excavated and shipped via rail to nuclear storage facilities out of state. Holtec has said it has purchased equipment to conduct more extensive surveys to search for similar contamination elsewhere. "We don't want to be surprised anymore," said Spagnuolo. It's not clear how cesium-137 ended up so far from the reactors and fuel storage. Holtec also tested the area for other common byproducts of fission, such as strontium-90 and nickel-63, but found nothing. Mayer said he doesn't think the contamination happened during the three decades he worked at the plant. He suggested it may have occurred in the 1970s, during the construction of two of Indian Point's three reactors. The first reactor, which went offline in 1974 because of a lack of an emergency cooling system, had a leak at some point that contaminated the soil. Mayer said that some of that soil may have been excavated to where the training center was later built to make room for the second and third reactors and that the plant's monitoring equipment at the time wasn't advanced enough to detect it. Cesium-137 has a half-life of 30 years; if the contamination did occur in the 1970s, the material would be less than half as potent, which may explain the low level of radiation. "By the next meeting we'll have some good information," said Spagnuolo. Meanwhile, a federal lawsuit filed by Holtec against New York State over a newly enacted law that prohibits the company from discharging radioactive wastewater into the Hudson River continues. The state Department of Environmental Conservation said at the May 1 meeting that it is pausing the renewal of Holtec's "pollutant discharge elimination system" permit in the meantime. Last year, the state attorney general accused Holtec of discharging radioactive water into the Hudson despite the law. Holtec countered that the discharges weren't waste from the spent fuel pools but groundwater and stormwater, a process that has been going on for 15 years. When asked at the meeting about the discharges, Spagnuolo said he could not respond because of the ongoing litigation. He referred board members to the 2024 Annual Radioactive Effluent Release Report, released April 30. It notes that the discharges are happening but that the "offsite dose associated with the groundwater pathway remains extremely small," contributing less than 1 percent of the annual limit.

In today's news: Holtec achieves milestones in Palisades restart efforts Berrien County Health Department and MSU Extension team up to educate about eggs Berrien County Central Dispatch celebrates National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: Holtec achieves milestones in Palisades restart efforts Berrien County Health Department and MSU Extension team up to educate about eggs Berrien County Central Dispatch celebrates National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: Holtec achieves milestones in Palisades restart efforts Berrien County Health Department and MSU Extension team up to educate about eggs Berrien County Central Dispatch celebrates National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: Holtec achieves milestones in Palisades restart efforts Berrien County Health Department and MSU Extension team up to educate about eggs Berrien County Central Dispatch celebrates National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

March 19, 2025 ~ The Trump Administration announced a loan to Holtec for their Palisades nuclear plant. Nick Culp, spokesperson for Holtec, joins Kevin to discuss the loan.

This week's program was inspired by "Flagstaff 'NO!' to Radioactive Trucks", an article by our friend Brenda Norrell in Censored News on February 10, 2025: https://bit.ly/3F8Tzb5. Our guest Leona Morgan (Diné) is an Indigenous organizer who has been fighting nuclear colonialism since 2007. She is a cofounder of Haul No!, a campaign to stop a uranium mine near the Grand Canyon and transport thru Navajo Nation. Recently, Leona helped to halt Holtec in New Mexico. Leona is also pursuing a Master of Community and Regional Planning at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico. For more information, visit these websites: https://haulno.com/; https://www.genderandradiation.org/ and https://radioactivewastecoalition.org. Production Credits:  Tiokasin Ghosthorse (Lakota), Host and Executive Producer Liz Hill (Red Lake Ojibwe), Producer Orlando DuPont, Radio Kingston Studio Engineer Tiokasin Ghosthorse, Audio Editor  Music Selections:  1. Song Title: Tahi Roots Mix (First Voices Radio Theme Song) Artist: Moana and the Moa Hunters Album: Tahi (1993) Label: Southside Records (Australia and New Zealand)  2. Song Title: Peace of Mind Artist: Smokey D Palmtree Album: Peace of Mind (2021) Label: Gila River Records  3. Song: After the Gold Rush (written by Neil Young) Artist: Katie Pruitt Album: Ohio / After the Gold Rush (2020) Label: Rounder Records  4. Song Title: Cold Little Heart Artist: Michael Kiwanuka Album: Love & Hate (2016) Label: Polydor Records  5. Song Title: Conquer Artist: RIVVRS Album: Unfamiliar Skin (2016) Label: Rogue Fire  6. Song Title: Fallin' Rain Artist: The Neville Brothers Album: Brother's Keeper (1990) Label: A&M Records  About First Voices Radio:  "First Voices Radio," now in its 32nd year on the air, is an internationally syndicated one-hour radio program originating from and heard weekly on Radio Kingston WKNY 1490 AM and 107.9 FM in Kingston, New York. Hosted by Tiokasin Ghosthorse (Lakota), who is the show's Founder and Executive Producer, "First Voices Radio" explores global topics and issues of critical importance to the preservation and protection of Mother Earth presented in the voices and from the perspective of the original peoples of the world.  Akantu Intelligence:  Visit Akantu Intelligence, an institute that Tiokasin founded with a mission of contextualizing original wisdom for troubled times. Go to https://akantuintelligence.org to find out more and consider joining his Patreon page at https://www.patreon.com/Ghosthorse

In today's news: Surprise setback for concessions area updates at Silver Beach South Haven extends short term rental ban for another 6 months Holtec clears another hurdle toward Palisades restart and more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: Surprise setback for concessions area updates at Silver Beach South Haven extends short term rental ban for another 6 months Holtec clears another hurdle toward Palisades restart and more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: Surprise setback for concessions area updates at Silver Beach South Haven extends short term rental ban for another 6 months Holtec clears another hurdle toward Palisades restart and more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: Surprise setback for concessions area updates at Silver Beach South Haven extends short term rental ban for another 6 months Holtec clears another hurdle toward Palisades restart and more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We want to hear from you! Send us a text message.With energy consumption skyrocketing and sustainability challenges becoming more pressing, nuclear energy is once again in the spotlight.But while its potential is undeniable, there's still a lot of public misperception of nuclear. For many, the words "nuclear energy" conjure outdated fears that overlook decades of innovation, safety advancements, and the vast opportunities in nuclear power today. In this episode of The TechEd Podcast, host Matt Kirchner sits down with Patrick O'Brien, Director of Government Affairs and Communications at Holtec International, to demystify nuclear energy and explore its transformative potential as a cornerstone of clean, sustainable power.Patrick shares insights into the nuclear "renaissance" and its critical role in balancing growing energy demands with environmental responsibility. From the recommissioning of Michigan's Palisades Nuclear Plant to the groundbreaking possibilities of small modular reactors (SMRs), Patrick provides an insider's perspective on cutting-edge technology, workforce opportunities, and nuclear's future in the United States.Inside this episode:Breaking down nuclear vs. wind and solar: land usage, energy density, and why nuclear leads in efficiencyHow Holtec is rewriting history with the unprecedented recommissioning of Palisades Nuclear PlantSmall modular reactors (SMRs): the future of nuclear energy and their game-changing scalabilityHow public perception of nuclear energy is evolvingInside the nuclear workforce: training, skills, and career paths shaping the industry's future3 Big Takeaways from this Episode:Nuclear energy offers unmatched efficiency and reliability.A single nuclear plant can produce 1,000 megawatts of consistent power on a fraction of the land required by solar or wind, which would need 3,000 megawatts of capacity to achieve the same output. Nuclear's 24/7 reliability makes it indispensable for meeting growing energy demands sustainably.Holtec International is rewriting nuclear history by recommissioning a decommissioned power plant.The Palisades Nuclear Plant in Michigan is the first facility in history to reverse a permanent shutdown order, requiring unprecedented collaboration with the NRC and innovative regulatory actions. This groundbreaking project could set a precedent for extending the lifecycle of nuclear facilities worldwide.The nuclear industry offers diverse career opportunities for every education level.From operators with high school diplomas to engineers with advanced degrees, the field provides clear pathways for growth, as seen in one worker's rise from janitor to control room supervisor. Nuclear also sets itself apart with rigorous training programs, where operators must retrain and pass exams every six weeks to stay certified.Resources in this Episode:To learn more about Holtec International visit: holtecinternational.comLearn more about the recommissioning of Holtec Palisades in MichiganOther resources mentioned:Access the Department of EnergInstagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

In today's news: Missing Geneva Township teen returned home safely Holtec sets next Palisades Nuclear restart open house Share the road, AAA says you'll have 2.6 million travel partners in Michigan and more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: Missing Geneva Township teen returned home safely Holtec sets next Palisades Nuclear restart open house Share the road, AAA says you'll have 2.6 million travel partners in Michigan and more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: Missing Geneva Township teen returned home safely Holtec sets next Palisades Nuclear restart open house Share the road, AAA says you'll have 2.6 million travel partners in Michigan and more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: Missing Geneva Township teen returned home safely Holtec sets next Palisades Nuclear restart open house Share the road, AAA says you'll have 2.6 million travel partners in Michigan and more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rising costs top concern for Rolison, Valdés Smith With the price of essentials such as housing and energy rising unabated, state Sen. Rob Rolison and his challenger, Yvette Valdés Smith, each say affordability is a crucial problem as they battle for a state Senate seat representing the 39th District, which includes Beacon and Philipstown. When speaking with voters, a major concern is "not being able to pay bills or deciding on [paying for] groceries or my Central Hudson bill," said Valdés Smith, a former teacher whose district on the Dutchess County Legislature includes Ward 4 in Beacon. The Democrat is also the Legislature's minority leader. Rolison, a Republican who served as City of Poughkeepsie mayor before defeating Beacon resident Julie Shiroishi in 2022 to win the redrawn 39th District, said reducing the local cost of living is also one of his priorities. He faced criticism from Valdés Smith in April after voting against state budget bills whose spending included $350 million to fund an additional tax credit for families eligible for the Empire State Child Tax Credit and $934 million in additional Foundation Aid for school districts. Separately, he has sponsored legislation to boost funding for tax credits to businesses providing childcare and to require the Public Service Commission and Comptroller's Office to determine the cost to residents of the state's mandated transition to renewable energy. Utility bills include a charge for energy-efficiency and renewable-energy programs. Although the state has challenges and "we have to spend money," Rolison said, the state comptroller is predicting deficits over the next three years. "We certainly don't want to be in a situation where we're continuing to spend money that we're getting from taxpayers," he said. Rolison said he is "absolutely proud" of his environmental record. He voted for the law enacted in 2023 to prohibit Holtec from discharging radioactive water into the Hudson River as it decommissions Indian Point, and for the Climate Change Superfund Act. The legislation, which Gov. Kathy Hochul has yet to sign, requires that companies responsible for the buildup of greenhouse gases help fund infrastructure projects that reduce the impact of climate change. But Rolison voted against the NY HEAT Act, designed to curtail the use of gas by utilities and cap energy bills for low- and moderate-income customers at 6 percent of their income. Rolison said he supports climate goals but believes the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which establishes a goal of 100 percent zero-emissions energy by 2040, is too aggressive. "We're seeing that with school districts pushing back on the EV [electric-vehicle] bus mandate," he said, referring to a law requiring that districts buy only zero-emissions buses by 2027 and have all-electric fleets by 2035. Valdés Smith, who taught environmental science in Manhattan and Yonkers, said that protecting water and natural resources is a top concern. She joined Dutchess County legislators in voting unanimously last month to limit the proximity of polluting businesses to water sources, and she supports the NY HEAT Act. When speaking with residents, housing costs were the second-most-cited concern. Many are "worried about their parents or themselves being able to stay in their homes," she said. Valdés Smith said she supports the construction of more housing across income ranges amid a shortage and said the state needs to invest in infrastructure so that residential developments are not located in areas that cannot handle the burdens on roads and sewer and water systems. "It has to be smart development," she said, including "around our Metro-North stations so people can commute and rely on public transportation." Rolison joined the backlash against a proposal by Hochul to supersede local zoning laws to spearhead housing construction. Like Valdés Smith, Rolison said he supports new residences across income ranges but believes municipali...

Holtec's plan to discharge nearly a million gallons of radioactive wastewater into Cape Cod Bay has become a contentious dispute in the cleanup of the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth. Opponents say Holtec is choosing the cheapest option and ignoring concerns about safety, the environment and local business.

Host Joe DeMare talks about the connection between diet and ecological destruction, singing the praises of vegans, even though he's not one himself. Next he interviews  Kevin Kamps from Beyond Nuclear about the latest discoveries of corrosion in the steam tubes of the Palisades nuclear power plant, and what that means for the crooked company Holtec, claiming to be able to restart the plant for a few billion dollars. Rebecca Wood talks about the Phucket, Thailand Nine Emperor Gods Vegan Festival. Ecological News includes Ford giving away free level 2 electric car chargers and the seven countries that have already achieved 100% renewable electricity.

This week: The Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce and the region's realtors association are among the petitioners asking the state to stop Holtec's discharge of radioactive water into Cape Cod Bay. Also, with an end-of-month deadline looming, the heat is rising on a controversial proposed machine gun range. And, the Cape's airport simulates a plane crash.

In today's news: Identification of Silver Beach body recovery confirmed Holtec finds additional work at Palisades steam generators Berrien County Commissioners surveyed on meeting frequency and more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: Identification of Silver Beach body recovery confirmed Holtec finds additional work at Palisades steam generators Berrien County Commissioners surveyed on meeting frequency and more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: Identification of Silver Beach body recovery confirmed Holtec finds additional work at Palisades steam generators Berrien County Commissioners surveyed on meeting frequency and more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: Identification of Silver Beach body recovery confirmed Holtec finds additional work at Palisades steam generators Berrien County Commissioners surveyed on meeting frequency and more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: Repair work at Galien River County Park will begin on Monday.  The Palisades Nuclear Power plant will need additional testing on its steam generator, according to Holtec's latest preliminary result inspections.  Michigan Trails Week is coming up next week.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: Repair work at Galien River County Park will begin on Monday.  The Palisades Nuclear Power plant will need additional testing on its steam generator, according to Holtec's latest preliminary result inspections.  Michigan Trails Week is coming up next week.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: Repair work at Galien River County Park will begin on Monday.  The Palisades Nuclear Power plant will need additional testing on its steam generator, according to Holtec's latest preliminary result inspections.  Michigan Trails Week is coming up next week.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: Repair work at Galien River County Park will begin on Monday.  The Palisades Nuclear Power plant will need additional testing on its steam generator, according to Holtec's latest preliminary result inspections.  Michigan Trails Week is coming up next week.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Six state lawmakers propose study Six Republican state senators introduced a bill on Aug. 30 that, if passed, would establish a commission to examine reopening Indian Point. The nuclear power plant south of Philipstown closed in 2021 and is being decommissioned. The bill also would reclassify nuclear energy and natural gas derived from trash and manure as "renewable energy" and authorize a feasibility study of small modular nuclear reactors. None of the lawmakers are from the Hudson Valley. Any effort to reopen Indian Point would face significant hurdles. For starters, the reactors have been dismantled, and Holtec, the firm hired to decommission the plant, has sent the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission a "certificate of permanent cessation of operations" that states that it would be impossible to restart. Holtec is attempting to reopen a nuclear plant in western Michigan that closed in 2022, but its reactors are intact. The company must first get authorities to reinstate the operating license and prove to federal inspectors that the plant remains viable. The firm also plans to build small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) in Michigan and at the closed Oyster Creek plant in eastern New Jersey. SMRs are a class of nuclear fission reactors that proponents say are cheaper and safer than current reactors. The federal Department of Energy had hoped to bring the first SMR online by 2030 in Idaho, but the plant was canceled last year when utilities balked at the cost, which had doubled to more than $9 billion. Building SMRs at Indian Point would prove difficult because, as part of the shutdown agreement, any plans to again create nuclear energy at the site must be approved by the Village of Buchanan, the Town of Cortlandt, Westchester County, New York State and the Hendrick Hudson School District. "There is no such consensus," said state Sen. Peter Harckham, a Democrat whose district includes Indian Point and who sits on the Indian Point Decommissioning Oversight Board. "This bill will never make it to the floor. Indian Point will be re-nuclearized when Elvis Presley makes his comeback tour. Discussions of bringing back nuclear energy to Indian Point are a pointless election-year stunt by Republican politicians. "If my colleagues across the aisle are that interested in nuclear power, they are welcome to invite atomic energy into their communities," Harckham said. Of the bill's sponsors, two are from Long Island, three from western New York and one from north of Saratoga Springs. The primary sponsor, Sen. Tom O'Mara, did not respond to a request for comment. But in a statement on Monday (Sept. 2), O'Mara criticized the state's green initiative as "an approach that has been built on rapidly imposing radical and sweeping clean energy mandates" that lacks a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis. O'Mara and other Republicans have called for the state's 2030 deadline to derive 70 percent of its electricity from renewables to be delayed by 10 years. O'Mara and other critics of the Indian Point shutdown have noted it immediately led to increased use of fossil-fuel-powered "peaker plants" designed to operate only during high demand. Victoria Leung, a staff attorney for Riverkeeper, said the environmental group isn't against examining the feasibility of nuclear technologies but that reopening Indian Point is out of the question. "It was an antiquated facility and responsible for killing billions of fish and fish larvae every year," she said. "This isn't a serious proposal." The bill also proposes that nuclear energy and natural gas derived from methane emissions from decomposing trash and manure - which the fossil-fuel industry and the prospective bill refer to as "renewable natural gas" - be reclassified as renewables. That would allow both sources to contribute to New York's 2030 goal. In current law, renewable energy is defined as "being continuously restored by natural or other means or are so large as to be usable for centuries without ...

This week: A blade comes off a Vineyard Wind turbine scattering debris onto Nantucket beaches. The Cape gets $1 billion for replacing the Sagamore Bridge. And the state says no to Holtec dumping radioactive water into Cape Cod Bay.

Host Joe DeMare talks about the growing movement to throw out the ideas of personal responsibility making a difference in the war to save the planet. Then Kevin Kamps of Beyond Nuclear tells us about the criminal history of Holtec, the company the Biden administration trusts to restart the dead Palisades nuclear reactor. Rebecca Wood talks about radiation contamination in Toledo. Ecological News includes: a geoengineering experiment that was stopped in California; EVs are now cheaper that gas cars; and California lawmakers balking at giving Diablo Canyon more money. 

In today's news: Area congressman supports crackdowns on college protests Nuclear Regulatory Commission hears from Holtec on Palisades safety Chikaming Open Lands team helps rescue a Great Horned Owl and more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: Area congressman supports crackdowns on college protests Nuclear Regulatory Commission hears from Holtec on Palisades safety Chikaming Open Lands team helps rescue a Great Horned Owl and more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: Area congressman supports crackdowns on college protests Nuclear Regulatory Commission hears from Holtec on Palisades safety Chikaming Open Lands team helps rescue a Great Horned Owl and more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

INSANE ATTEMPT TO RE-START MICHIGAN REACTOR; BRILLIANT EMF PANEL   Our GREEP zoom #174 begins with famed investigative reporter ROGER RAPOPORT and nuclear safety expert KEVIN KAMPS.   They explore the absurd $15 billion scam to bilk state and federal taxpayers and ratepayers to pay for re-starting Michigan's Palisades reactor.    https://www.freep.com/story/opinion/contributors/2024/04/16/michigan-palisades-nuclear-reactor-restart-risk-renewables/73133145007/ The government is spending billions to restart Michigan's Palisades reactor. Why? | Opinion Michigan and the federal government will spend billions to restart the Palisades nuclear reactor. They should invest in renewable energy instead. www.freep.com    The plant is 50 years old and was shut two years ago for safety reasons.       Critical parts have already been stripped out.   The company designated to restart the reactor—Holtec—has never operated a reactor.   Roger and Kevin give us a complete tour of this atomic catastrophe in the making.   WENDI LEDERMAN reports on the attacks on women's health care in Florida, Arizona and elsewhere.   The legendary CAMILLA REES then convenes a world-class panel on the impacts of Electro-Magnetic Frequencies.     With world-class expertise, we hear from DR. KARL MARET, MD, M.ENG; TIMOTHY SCHOECHLE, PH.D, and attorney DUNCAN CAMPBELL, Esq.   Beautifully guided by Camilla, this is a uniquely powerful session that puts the EMF issue into essential perspective.   From LA activist Brenda Martinez gives us an update on the fight against 5G in southern California.   LYNN FEINERMAN, DAVID SALTMAN, DR. RUTH STRAUSS, TATANKA BRICCA, RON LEONARD, MYLA RESON & others all kick in.   The level of expertise on energy and EMF is unmatched.  Don't miss this double session.     No Nukes / No EMF!!  

This Day in Legal History: Canada CreatedOn March 29, 1867, a pivotal moment in legal and political history unfolded as the British Parliament passed the British North America Act, laying the groundwork for a united and independent Dominion of Canada. This act was a monumental step, not just for the territories involved, but for the concept of nation-building and governance in the 19th century. It provided a structured constitution for Canada, which at the time, united the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Canada province (which was subsequently divided into Ontario and Quebec) under a single federal government. This legislative move was pivotal in defining Canada's national identity and sovereignty.The British North America Act, also known as the Constitution Act of 1867, is celebrated for introducing a federal system of government, allocating specific powers to the provinces and others to the federal government, a structure that has endured and evolved. It also established the bicameral legislature comprising the House of Commons and the Senate, adopting a parliamentary system modelled after that of the United Kingdom. This act not only marked the legal birth of Canada but also set a precedent for the peaceful transition of power and the creation of new nations through legislative means.The passage of this act was the culmination of a series of conferences and negotiations among the leaders of the British North American colonies, reflecting a mature and collaborative approach to nationhood. It addressed the pressing need for a united front in the face of external threats and internal discord, particularly the Fenian raids and the threat of American expansionism. When the act took effect on July 1, 1867, it did not merely create a new country; it established a framework for democracy, rights, and governance that Canadians continue to build upon. This legislation stands as a testament to the enduring values of unity, cooperation, and self-governance, marking March 29 as a day of significant legal and historical importance in the creation of the Dominion of Canada.The U.S. is facing a growing legal dispute over nuclear waste storage, likely headed for the Supreme Court, following conflicting appellate court decisions regarding the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) authority to license two proposed storage facilities. The most recent decision from the Fifth Circuit Court vacated a license for Holtec International to store spent nuclear fuel in New Mexico, similar to an earlier ruling against a Texas facility by Interim Storage Partners (ISP). These decisions oppose a prior ruling from the District of Columbia Circuit, which approved the ISP facility's license, highlighting a significant legal split.Holtec and ISP, along with government support, are expected to challenge the Fifth Circuit's decisions, suggesting a Supreme Court review could overturn them. This legal stalemate underscores the challenges of finding a solution for the 86,000 metric tons of nuclear waste stored across 33 states. Efforts to establish a permanent site have been stalled, notably with the withdrawal from the Yucca Mountain project, leading to temporary storage proposals. The Supreme Court's potential involvement could resolve the legal impasse and address the broader issue of nuclear waste management in the U.S.US Efforts to Store Nuclear Waste Poised for High Court ReviewSam Bankman-Fried, the founder of the now-defunct FTX cryptocurrency exchange, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for a fraud involving $8 billion stolen from customers, marking a significant moment in his rapid fall from grace. U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan in Manhattan imposed the sentence after finding Bankman-Fried guilty of seven fraud and conspiracy charges related to FTX's 2022 collapse, rejecting the defense's claims that customers did not lose money and deeming Bankman-Fried unremorseful. Despite apologizing for the impact on customers and colleagues, Bankman-Fried did not admit to criminal actions and plans to appeal both his conviction and sentence.The sentencing reflects the severe consequences of defrauding investors and customers in the financial industry, underscoring the message from U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland about the accountability awaiting those who commit financial crimes. Kaplan highlighted the significant losses incurred by FTX customers, equity investors, and lenders to the Alameda Research hedge fund, founded by Bankman-Fried, totaling over $11 billion in losses. This led to an $11 billion forfeiture order to compensate the victims.Prosecutors had requested a sentence ranging from 40 to 50 years, while Bankman-Fried's defense argued for a significantly shorter term, portraying him as an awkward but non-malicious figure who attempted to recover customer funds post-collapse. Despite efforts to distance Bankman-Fried from infamous fraudsters and emphasize his mathematical decision-making, the court remained focused on the extensive harm caused by his actions.Bankman-Fried's status as a prominent political donor and figure in the cryptocurrency space, known for his commitment to effective altruism and significant contributions to political causes, was also scrutinized. His detention since August 2023, due to concerns over witness tampering, and the judge's recommendation for his incarceration near San Francisco, highlight the gravity of his offenses and the legal system's response to financial malfeasance in the emerging cryptocurrency market.Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years for multi-billion dollar FTX fraud | ReutersTexas Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated an investigation into Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc, a key supplier of parts for Boeing, due to ongoing issues with some of these parts. This inquiry comes in the wake of Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun's announcement of his departure by year's end, following a series of concerns raised by regulators and airline customers, notably after a panel detached from a 737 MAX 9 jet in January.Texas attorney general opens investigation into parts supplier for Boeing | ReutersDetails have emerged regarding Facebook's extensive history of spying on its users' encrypted communications across various apps and services, highlighting a broader issue of online privacy exploitation by numerous entities. In 2018, Facebook was discovered using a "privacy protecting VPN" called Onavo as spyware to monitor user activity on other platforms, an operation that had been sanctioned by CEO Mark Zuckerberg under "Project Ghostbusters." This project aimed to intercept and decrypt encrypted app traffic from users of Snapchat, YouTube, and Amazon, effectively conducting a large-scale "man in the middle attack" to spy on users. The strategy involved developing spyware capable of accessing data before encryption, utilizing the Onavo VPN, acquired by Facebook in 2013 and repurposed for espionage without clear disclosure to users.Internal documents from a lawsuit against Facebook's parent company, Meta, reveal that high-ranking Facebook executives were aware of the ethical and security issues posed by such surveillance but proceeded regardless. This revelation is part of a class action lawsuit filed in 2020, accusing Facebook of spying on users and lying about it. The case underscores the lax consumer privacy protections in the U.S. and the vast, loosely regulated ecosystem of data surveillance that compromises personal information for profit, often under the guise of anonymization. Despite numerous privacy scandals, there has been little meaningful action from Congress to address these concerns, particularly when lobbyists for companies like Facebook aim to eliminate competitors like TikTok. The situation raises alarms about the potential for future scandals that could finally prompt legislative action on privacy.Details Emerge Of Facebook's Long History Of Spying On Encrypted User Communications Across Different Apps And Service | TechdirtJoseph Haydn (1732-1809), was a towering figure in the Classical period of Western music, and holds a foundational place in the history of symphonic and chamber music. Born in Rohrau, Austria, Haydn's musical journey began at a young age, leading him to become a choirboy at St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna. Despite a challenging start, Haydn's undeniable talent and relentless work ethic propelled him into the circles of the Esterházy family, one of the most influential patrons of the arts in Austria, where he spent much of his career as a court musician.Haydn's contributions to music are monumental, having composed over 100 symphonies, numerous operas, string quartets, piano sonatas, and two celebrated oratorios, "The Creation" and "The Seasons." His work laid the groundwork for future generations, earning him the titles "Father of the Symphony" and "Father of the String Quartet." Through his innovative structures, development of musical motifs, and the exploration of dynamic contrasts, Haydn shaped the Classical style, influencing contemporaries and successors alike, including Mozart and Beethoven.Haydn's legacy is not just in his compositions but in his approach to music as a vibrant, living art form. His ability to infuse his works with wit, humor, and deep emotion speaks to his profound understanding of the human experience, making his music timeless and universally admired.Featured Piece: Symphony No. 77 in B flat major, IV. Allegro spiritosoThis week, we feature the exhilarating final movement, "Allegro spiritoso," from Joseph Haydn's Symphony No. 77 in B flat major. Composed during the zenith of Haydn's career in the late 18th century, this symphony exemplifies Haydn's mastery in orchestrating dynamic contrasts and his flair for thematic development.The Symphony No. 77 is part of Haydn's middle-period works, where he experimented with form and harmony to expand the expressive capabilities of the symphony. The "Allegro spiritoso" movement, in particular, showcases Haydn's skill in creating engaging musical narratives that are both intellectually satisfying and emotionally compelling. This movement is characterized by its spirited tempo and the lively, joyful themes that dance throughout the piece, providing a fitting conclusion to the symphony.Listeners will appreciate the movement's clever use of dynamics, the interplay between the orchestral sections, and the seamless transitions that propel the music forward. It's a testament to Haydn's ability to compose music that feels fresh and invigorating, demonstrating why he remains a central figure in the classical music canon.As we explore "Allegro spiritoso," let us appreciate the genius of Haydn, whose music continues to inspire and delight audiences around the world. Get full access to Minimum Competence - Daily Legal News Podcast at www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Energy News Beat podcast, Stuart Turley discusses various topics, starting with Russia's ambitious plans to triple LNG exports by 2030, highlighting the potential impact on global energy markets and geopolitical dynamics. He also delves into the challenges facing the EV industry, exemplified by Ford's significant price cuts on the 2023 Mustang Mach E and the broader implications for the Biden administration's clean energy initiatives. The discussion shifts to positive news with the announcement of a $1.5 billion loan to restart the Palisades Nuclear Plant in Michigan, underscoring the role of nuclear energy in the transition to a low-carbon future. However, concerns arise regarding disruptions in world trade due to shipping slowdowns in the Red Sea, which could lead to increased costs for consumers. The episode concludes with a critical analysis of California's climate disclosure law and its potential adverse effects on businesses and environmental sustainability efforts.Highlights of the Podcast00:00 - Intro 01:30 - Russia to triple LNG exports by 2030 – deputy PM03:07 - Ford cuts price of 2023 Mustang Mach-E by up to $8,100, offers 0% financing05:32 - Holtec to get $1.5bn loan to restart Palisades nuclear power plant in Michigan07:10 - World Trade Concerns as Red Sea Shipping Slows08:56 - Why California's climate disclosure law should doom green energy13:47 - OutroPlease see the links below for articles that we discuss in the podcast.Russia to triple LNG exports by 2030 – deputy PMFebruary 21, 2024 Mariel AlumitThe country now ranks fourth in the world in terms of liquefied natural gas sales, according to Aleksandr Novak Russia plans to continue ramping up both output and exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG), Deputy […]Ford cuts price of 2023 Mustang Mach-E by up to $8,100, offers 0% financingFebruary 21, 2024 Stu TurleyFord Motor Co. slashed the cost of its electric 2023 Mustang Mach-E on Tuesday to be more competitive with Tesla and get the award-winning SUV into the hands of budget-conscious buyers. Prices are being reduced $3,100 to […]Holtec to get $1.5bn loan to restart Palisades nuclear power plant in MichiganFebruary 21, 2024 Stu TurleyLocated along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan in Covert Township, the Palisades nuclear facility is a single unit pressurised water reactor, which was permanently shut down by its previous owner Entergy in May 2022 […]World Trade Concerns as Red Sea Shipping SlowsFebruary 21, 2024 Stu TurleyShipping giant Maersk announced they would implement a shipping freeze in their trade routes in the Red Sea due to a high seas attack from Yemen-based Houthi militants. Despite the best efforts in the volatile Red Sea, […]Why California's climate disclosure law should doom green energyFebruary 21, 2024 Stu TurleyCalifornia prides itself for being a leader with respect to tackling climate change. This is because they believe, albeit on shaky scientific grounds, that their citizens “already” face devastating consequences inflicted on them by manmade […] Follow Stuart On LinkedIn and TwitterFollow Michael On LinkedIn and TwitterENB Top NewsENBEnergy DashboardENB PodcastENB Substack– Get in Contact With The Show – 

The U.S Postal Service is honoring New York's First Black woman Senator, Constance Baker Motley, as part of their Black heritage stamp series. Plus, Holtec, a company in New Jersey, has agreed to pay a $5 million fine over what state officials say was a fraudulent tax break. And finally, WNYC's Michael Hill discusses New York's Rape is Rape Act with Assembly Member Catalina Cruz and Lydia Cuomo.

Int’l Uranium Film Festival Coming to US, Canada! – Norbert Suchanek + Holtec Illegally Evaporating Pilgrim Radwater in MA – Diane Turco This Week’s Featured Interviews: (l-r) International Uranium Film Festival Co-founders and Directors Marcîa Gomes de Oliviera and Norbert Suchanek, and Nuclear Hotseat’s Libbe HaLevy at the 2023 IUFF in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil...

The UK has plans to quadruple its nuclear energy capacity to 24GW by 2050. The government released its plan to get to that figure with its Civil Nuclear: Roadmap to 2050.  The arms-length delivery body established for new nuclear is Great British Nuclear, and in this episode, its Chairman Simon Bowen discusses the plans, and the changes proposed in how sites are chosen and in establishing other routes to market for new nuclear.Bowen also sets out the latest on the UK's on-going small modular reactor competition. At the moment there are six shortlisted - EDF, GE Hitachi, Holtec, NuScale, Rolls-Royce SMR and Westinghouse. The aim is to get the invitation to tender documents out very soon, he said, with contracts agreed later this year with up to four of them, which would take them through to a financial investment decision by 2029.Key links to find out more:World Nuclear NewsGreat British NuclearConsultation on siting new nuclearConsultation on alternative routes to marketUK SMR selection contest: Six companies into next stageEmail newsletter:Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-upsContact info:alex.hunt@world-nuclear.orgEpisode credit:  Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production 

In this morning's news: Holtec taking more steps to restarts Palisades Nuclear Growing Michigan council readies proposals for the governor Whirlpool Corp. Appliance Sale for United Way coming soon! and more!!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved a 40-year license for a private company, Holtec International, to build a facility between Hobbs and Carlsbad that would store nuclear waste from power plants the company is decommissioning in states from New Jersey to California. New Mexico already stores transuranic waste from nuclear weapons production in the salt caverns at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant or WIPP.  This project would be different, and would eventually hold up to 10,000 canisters, with each canister holding 8,680 metric tons of spent nuclear fuel from commercial power plants. The New Mexico State Legislature passed Senate Bill 53 this year, which would prohibit state agencies from issuing permits, contracts or leases for the facility—unless the state approves the facility or the federal government moves forward with a permanent storage spot for the nation's commercial nuclear waste.     On this special episode of Our Land, we hear from John Heaton, a former New Mexico state representative who works with Holtec; Sen. Jeff Steinborn, the sponsor of Senate Bill 53; and Dr. Myrriah Gómez, a professor at the University of New Mexico and the author of "Nuclear Nuevo México: Colonialism and the Effects of the Nuclear Industrial Complex on Nuevomexicanos.”  Host: Lou DiVizio Correspondent: Laura Paskus  Guests:  John Heaton, chair, Eddy-Lea Energy Alliance  Dr. Myrriah Gómez, author of "Nuclear Nuevo México."  Jeff Steinborn, (D) NM District 36 – Doña Ana County  For More Information: Nuclear waste storage permit slated for September public meeting – Source NM  Nuclear Regulatory Commission Approves Nuclear Waste License in NM – Our Land  Concern Over Nuclear Disposal Plan – Our Land     --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nmif/message

Pat O'Brien, Holtec's Director of Government Affairs and Communications, sat down with me to talk about his background in nuclear energy, Holtec's attempts to save the Palisades plant in Michigan, its new SMR design, and more! Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at nuclearbarbarians.substack.com/subscribe

On this Tipping Point conversation Paul interviews Gerges Scott. Gerges is a Senior VP at Agenda, an Albuquerque-based public relations firm. Gerges was recently "across the pond" for conferences in Scotland and England. Gerges and Paul also discuss the Holtec facility which was recently approved in Southeast New Mexico and its importance both for the New Mexico economy AND for its potential role in reigniting America's nuclear industry and efforts to bring zero-carbon energy to market.   Finally, Paul and Gerges talk about the "fake news" from a left-wing advocacy group which claims that he has a state contract to single-handedly transition New Mexico's economy away from oil and gas. 

This week: An airman stationed at Joint Base Cape Cod is at the center of national scrutiny over leaked documents. And, a local group says it's got a legal argument for stopping Holtec from dumping radioactive water into Cape Cod Bay.

Holtec is planning to dump radioactive water in the Hudson River. They could not....they just want to. It's hard to understand why... "Have you finally figured out what beauty is for? And have you changed your life?"

This week: That million gallons of radioactive water that Holtec wants to dump into Cape Cod Bay? Samples of it have now been taken and sent to a lab. Also: Vineyard Wind is gathering the pieces to start assembling its offshore wind farm. And, the Steamship Authority is in no rush to reach for electric ferries — that's got some folks frustrated.

This week: With a special town meeting coming next Monday, Brewster will have its say on the fate of a proposed boardwalk to Wing Island. Also, a petition entreating Holtec not to dump radioactive water into Cape Cod Bay now has more than a 130,000 signatures. And: a bald eagle, brought to the Cape for care, succumbs to rodent poison.

This week: Independence House in Barnstable gets a $3.46 million grant to further its mission combating domestic violence. A new report underscores the need to protect the Cape's dwindling “undisturbed land”. And issues at the shuttered Pilgrim nuclear plant raise concerns, while almost ten thousand people sign a petition asking the decommissioning company Holtec not to discharge radioactive water into Cape Cod Bay.

ASGA's Will Poston & Capt. Cody Rubner are joined by Ryan Collins, found of MyFishingCapeCod, to discuss a building battle against the pollution of 1+ million gallons of nuclear waste into Cape Cod Bay during the decommissioning process for an outdated nuclear powerplant in Plymouth, MA.Sign on to support the petition and tell Holtec not to dump radioactive water into Cape Cod Bay. Click here or go to https://www.change.org/p/holtec-please-don-t-dump-radioactive-water-into-cape-cod-bay?signed=true#BetterBusinessThroughConservation #CleanWater #CapeCodBay