[USA] NARUC releases report analyzing nuclear in utility IRPs

On November 8, 2023, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) released a new report analyzing 17 utility integrated resource plan (IRP) filings submitted between August 2019 and March 2023 to identify important trends regarding nuclear energy for consideration by state utility regulators.[1] The report, titled Nuclear Generation in Long-Term Utility Resource Planning, identified three overarching trends. First, most regulated utilities are aware of advanced nuclear technologies, but the limited time horizon in many IRPs while the anticipated deployment dates for many advanced technologies fall outside that time frame. Furthermore, uncertainties around the technological maturity, costs, and financial risks, as well as persistent state-level prohibitions on the construction of new nuclear facilities, can deter utilities from including advanced nuclear in IRPs.

A second finding of the report is that several utilities included in NARUC’s review—PacifiCorp, Idaho Power, Duke Energy Carolinas, Duke Energy Progress, and the Tennessee Valley Authority—have explicitly included advanced nuclear in their IRPs. Third, most utilities propose keeping existing nuclear resources online to maintain reliability and progress toward decarbonization goals. This plan includes keeping ownership stakes in nuclear plants and extending the operating life of existing nuclear units. Key benefits of keeping existing nuclear online include employment, economic contributions to local communities, reliability, and clean energy.

[1] https://www.naruc.org/about-naruc/press-releases/new-report-reviews-nuclear-energy-in-long-term-utility-resource-planning/

[Japan] Japanese town allows survey for interim spent nuclear fuel storage facility

Kaminoseki, a small town in western Japan, announced on August 18, 2023, that it has agreed to a geological study to determine its suitability as an interim storage site for spent nuclear fuel.[1] Earlier in August, Chugoku Electric Power Co. proposed a plan to jointly construct the facility with Kansai Electric Power Co., whose spent fuel storage pools are almost full. If built, it would be the second such storage facility in Japan, following one already built in Mutsu, Aomori Prefecture, in northeastern Japan. According to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), there is about 190,000 tons of spent nuclear fuel stored at power plants in Japan, about 80% of total storage capacity and up from 75% in 2019. The proposed interim storage facility would keep spent fuel until it is transferred to a facility to reprocess plutonium for reuse under the government’s nuclear fuel recycling policy.

The decision to allow the geological study will result in a nuclear-related state subsidy and fresh sources of tax revenues for the fast-graying municipality. During a televised news conference, Kaminoseki Mayor Tetsuo Nishi stated, “The town will only get poorer if we just keep waiting. We should do whatever is available now." According to Chugoku Electric, the town will receive a subsidy of 140 million yen ($962,000) a year during the period of the survey.

[1] https://apnews.com/article/japan-nuclear-spent-fuel-storage-fukushima-kaminoseki-b65e0710a91fc979cf0d89364d504a91

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/08/7a5b19a9cd52-japan-town-oks-survey-for-interim-spent-nuclear-fuel-storage-facility.html

[USA] IAEA concludes Japan’s plans to release treated water from Fukushima are consistent with international safety standard

 On July 4, 2023, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) concluded that Japan’s plans to release treated water stored at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station into the sea are consistent with IAEA Safety Standards.[1] The report, which was presented by IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, found that the discharges of the treated water would have a negligible radiological impact on people and the environment. The report is the outcome of nearly two years of work by an IAEA Task Force made up of top specialists advised by internationally recognized nuclear safety experts from eleven countries. The Task Force has conducted five review missions to Japan, published six technical reports, met many times with the Japanese government and the nuclear power station’s owner Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), and analyzed technical and regulatory documentation.

The Japanese government decided to discharge the water stored at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in April 2021. Water stored at the nuclear power station has been treated through an Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) to remove almost all radioactivity, aside from tritium. Before releasing the water, it will be diluted to bring the tritium to below regulatory standards.

[1] https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/pressreleases/iaea-finds-japans-plans-to-release-treated-water-into-the-sea-at-fukushima-consistent-with-international-safety-standards

[USA] Microsoft reaches agreement to buy fusion power

On May 10, 2023, Helion Energy announced that it has reached an agreement with Microsoft to provide the company with electricity from its first fusion power plant.[1] Constellation Energy will serve as the power marketer and will manage transmission for the project. Helion’s fusion power plant is expected to be online by 2028, and the company is targeting power generation of 50 MW or greater after a 1-year ramp-up period. Helion has previously built six working prototypes and was the first private fusion company to reach 100-million-degree plasma temperatures with its sixth fusion prototype. Currently, the company is building its seventh prototype, which is expected to demonstrate the ability to produce electricity in 2024.

“We are optimistic that fusion energy can be an important technology to help the world transition to clean energy,” said Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President at Microsoft. The development of a commercial fusion power facility will help Microsoft to achieve its goal of being carbon negative by 2030 and also support the development of a new clean energy source for the world.

[1] https://www.helionenergy.com/articles/helion-announces-worlds-first-fusion-ppa-with-microsoft/

[USA] NARUC, NASEO launch Advanced Nuclear State Collaborative

On April 10, 2023, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) and the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) announced the launch of the Advanced Nuclear State Collaborative (ANSC), a program to support the deployment of new nuclear generation in the U.S.[1] The program is supported by the Department of Energy (DOE) and will gather state utility regulators and state energy officials to enhance collective understanding of regulatory and policy questions surrounding reviews and deployment of new nuclear generation. The organizations invited states that are considering or actively working toward deploying advanced reactors to join ANSC because membership offers an opportunity for direct support from nuclear experts while participating in real-time peer learning. More than 30 utility commissions and state energy offices representing 23 states have signed on to join the ANSC. Program activities began in March 2023 with introductory calls from NARUC and NASEO to members, and a site visit to Richland, Washington, is scheduled for late April 2023.

[1] https://www.naruc.org/about-naruc/press-releases/new-naruc-naseo-advanced-nuclear-state-collaborative-helps-better-inform-state-approaches-to-new-nuclear-generation/

[USA] DOE releases reports highlighting commercialization paths for long-duration storage, advanced nuclear, clean hydrogen

On March 21, 2023, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced the launch of its Pathways to Commercial Liftoff, a series of reports charting pathways to commercialize long-duration storage[1], advanced nuclear reactors, and clean hydrogen.[2] The reports are designed to help the private sector and other stakeholders make decisions about emerging technologies that are needed to slash greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector. Each report highlights possible solutions to the challenges facing the technologies and routes to commercialization. Additional reports are expected in the coming months.

The reports concluded that by 2030, cumulative investments must increase from approximately $40 billion to $300 billion across the hydrogen, nuclear, and long-duration energy storage sectors. In the clean hydrogen report, the DOE found that production for U.S. demand could grow from about 1 million metric tons a year to about 10 MMT/year in 2030. However, despite increased investor engagement and project announcements, the DOE report states that infrastructure buildout, demand uncertainty, workforce development, and other challenges to at-scale adoption need to be addressed for clean hydrogen to realize its full potential. 

In the long-duration storage report, the DOE found that the U.S. grid may need 225 GW to 460 GW of long-duration storage to support power markets for a net zero economy by 2060, representing $330 billion in capital spending. To reach commercial viability, technological progress, cost reductions, and an increase in public and private investment must be achieved. For advanced nuclear reactors, the DOE found that U.S. nuclear capacity could triple by 2050 from about 100 GW today. The report identified several obstacles, including increasing deployment of mature technologies and building efficient and timely delivery models.

[1] The DOE defines long-duration storage as resources that can provide continuous energy for 10 hours to about 160 hours.

[2] https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe-releases-new-reports-pathways-commercial-liftoff-accelerate-clean-energy-technologies

[USA] Constellation Energy starts hydrogen production at 1-MW demonstration scale nuclear-powered clean hydrogen facility

On March 7, 2023, Constellation announced that hydrogen production has started at the nation’s first 1 MW demonstration scale, nuclear-powered clean hydrogen production facility at Mile Point Nuclear Plant in Oswego, New York.[1] In 2022, the Department of Energy (DOE) approved moving forward with the construction and installation of an electrolyzer system at Nine Mile Point with an award of $5.8 million. The clean Hydrogen Generation System uses 1.25 MW of zero-carbon energy per hour to produce 560 kilograms of clean hydrogen per day. Constellation said this is “more than enough to meet the plant’s operation hydrogen use.” The Hydrogen Generation System’s Proton Exchange Membrane electrolyzer was manufactured by Nel Hydrogen and utilizes electricity generated at Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station to separate hydrogen and oxygen atoms in water. According to the press release, the demonstration project helps set the stage for possible large-scale deployments at other clean energy centers in Constellation’s fleet.

As part of its broader decarbonization strategy, Constellation is currently working with public and private entities representing every phase in the hydrogen value chain to pursue development of regional hydrogen production and distribution hubs. The company plans to invest $900 million through 2025 to advance commercial clean hydrogen production and is participating in the Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen (MachH2), Northeast Clean Hydrogen Hub, and Mid-Atlantic Hydrogen Hub, all of which are exploring projects to develop hydrogen infrastructure in collaboration with DOE.

[1] https://www.constellationenergy.com/newsroom/2023/Constellation-Starts-Production-at-Nations-First-One-Megawatt-Demonstration-Scale-Nuclear-Powered-Clean-Hydrogen-Facility.html

[USA] DOE announces fusion breakthrough at LLNL

On December 13, 2022, the Department of Energy (DOE) and the DOE’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announced the achievement of fusion ignition at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in California.[1] On December 5, 2022, a team at LLNL’s National Ignition Facility (NIF) conducted the first controlled fusion experiment in history to produce more energy from fusion than the laser energy used to drive it. The experiment surpassed the fusion threshold by delivering 2.05 megajoules (MJ) of energy to the target, resulting in 3.15 MJ of fusion energy output. The LLNL’s NIF is the world’s largest and most energetic laser system—roughly the size of a sports stadium. The successful experiment is an essential step toward commercial fusion power. However, in the press release, the DOE acknowledged that many advanced science and technology developments are still needed to achieve simple, affordable fusion energy. The DOE is currently restarting a broad-based, coordinated program in the U.S.

[1] https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe-national-laboratory-makes-history-achieving-fusion-ignition

[USA] DOE conditionally awards Diablo Canyon nuclear plant $1.1B to prevent shutdown

On November 21, 2022, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced the conditional selection of the 2,240 MW Diablo Canyon Power Plant, California’s only nuclear power plant, to receive the first round of funding from the Civil Nuclear Credit (CNC) program.[1] Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), the $6 billion CNC program aims to support nuclear energy facilities at risk of retiring due to economic factors. Owned and operated by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), Diablo Canyon Power Plant produces approximately 16 TWh of electricity annually, about 15% of California’s clean energy.  Units 1 and 2 of the power plant were scheduled to be decommissioned in 2024 and 2025, respectively, but the conditional award, valued at about $1.1 billion, could allow the units to remain open. According to the DOE, keeping the power plant open longer will save 1,500 jobs. Final terms are subject to negotiation and finalization by the DOE.

The first CNC award cycle prioritized reactors facing the most imminent threat of closure and limited applications to reactors that had already announced that they would close due to economic factors. The second award cycle will prioritize reactors that are projected to shut down due to economic factors within the next four years. The DOE expects to begin accepting applications for the second cycle of CNC funding in January 2023.

[1] https://www.energy.gov/articles/biden-harris-administration-announces-major-investment-preserve-americas-clean-nuclear

[USA] Georgia Power begins fuel load for Vogtle Unit 3

On October 14, 2022, Georgia Power began loading nuclear fuel into its Vogtle Unit 3 reactor core.[1] The announcement marks a major milestone toward the startup and commercial operation of the first new nuclear units to be built in the U.S. in more than 30 years. The unit is one of two—Vogtle Unit 3 and Unit 4—being built at the Vogtle plant near Waynesboro, Georgia. The start of Unit 3 fuel load comes after the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) signed off on a 103(g) finding in August 2022, certifying the unit was constructed and would operate according to Combined License and NRC regulations.

Nuclear technicians and operators are scheduled to transfer 157 fuel assemblies into the Unit 3 reactor core. Once this is completed, startup testing will begin. This will demonstrate the capabilities of the primary coolant and steam supply systems at design temperature and pressure with fuel inside the reactor. Before full operation, the plant will also be taken from cold shutdown to initial criticality. Operators will also synchronize the unit to the electric grid, and power will be gradually raised to full capacity. Unit 3 is expected to enter service in the first quarter of 2023. Southern Nuclear will operate the new unit on behalf of the co-owners: Georgia Power, Oglethorpe Power, MEAG Power, and Dalton Utilities.

[1] https://www.georgiapower.com/company/news-center/press-releases.html

[USA] DOE report: coal plant sites could host 265 GW of advanced nuclear

According to a new report released by the Department of Energy on September 13, 2022, about 80% of operating and recently retired coal-fired power plant sites could host an advanced nuclear power reactor, with nearly 265 GW in total potential nuclear capacity.[1] The report, titled Investigating Benefits and Challenges of Converting Retiring Coal Plants into Nuclear Plants, was prepared by researchers from the Argonne, Idaho, and Oak Ridge national laboratories and looked at the feasibility of a coal-to-nuclear (C2N) transition. The report identified 190 operating coal plant sites that could host 198.5 GW of nuclear capacity and 125 recently retired plant sites that could handle 64.8 GW of nuclear capacity. According to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the U.S. has about 100 GW of existing nuclear capacity, accounting for 8.2% of all generating capacity in the U.S.

In a case study examining the impacts and potential outcomes of replacing a 1.2 GW coal plant with nuclear, the report found that reusing infrastructure from the coal plant sites could reduce the overnight cost of capital of a nuclear facility by 15% to 35% compared with a greenfield construction project. In the case study, the report also found that regional economic activity could increase by as much as $275 million and add 650 new, permanent jobs to the region of analysis.

[1] https://fuelcycleoptions.inl.gov/SiteAssets/SitePages/Home/C2N2022Report.pdf

[Japan] PM Kishida considers development of new nuclear reactors

On August 24, 2022, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said the country will restart more idled nuclear power plants and consider developing safer, smaller nuclear reactors, signaling a renewed emphasis on nuclear energy a decade after the Fukushima disaster.[1] PM Kishida also said the government would look at extending the lifespan of existing reactors. The prime minister made the announcement at a "green transformation" conference focused on the country’s efforts to meet its environmental goals. The statement represents a policy shift; previously, the Japanese government has said it was not considering building new plants or replacing aging reactors.

Following the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster in 2011, most of Japan's nuclear power plants were taken offline for safety checks under tightened standards. Since then, utilities have set more than 20 reactors for decommissioning. Of the 33 reactors, 25 have been screened for safety checks by the Nuclear Safety Authority (NRA). Seventeen have been approved, but only ten have restarted. Japan’s government has previously announced plans to speed up restarts. It aims to have up to nine reactors restarted by winter 2022 to cope with energy constraints and to restart seven other reactors after summer 2023. The government also aims to extend the life of aging reactors to beyond 60 years from the initial 40 years.

[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-pm-call-development-construction-new-generation-nuclear-power-plants-2022-08-24/

[USA] California governor proposes keeping Diablo Canyon nuclear plant open an additional five to ten years

On August 12, 2022, California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) officially proposed keeping the two units of the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant online until 2029 and 2030, with the possibility of extending the plant’s life through 2035.[1] The 2.2 GW Diablo Canyon Power Plant is California’s only nuclear power plant and provides nearly a tenth of the state’s electrical power. In 2018, state regulators approved a plan to retire the units in 2024 and 2025. However, stakeholders have recently been exploring the benefits of keeping the plant open longer. According to the governor’s office, a limited term extension for the nuclear plant is necessary to ensure reliability as the state achieves its goal to decarbonize its grid by 2045.

The proposed legislation would direct the California Public Utilities Commission to keep the plant’s two units online through 2029 and 2030 and decide by 2026 whether to keep the plant open longer. The proposed legislation includes a $1.4 billion loan from California’s general fund to Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), the plant’s operator, to cover the cost of relicensing the plant. It also outlines the terms of the loan agreement, including conditions under which PG&E would have to repay the loan.

[1] https://apnews.com/article/california-legislature-gavin-newsom-climate-and-environment-4968ee9da7fd1d10ad67bfdf03950873

[USA] NRC gives Vogtle approval to fuel up

On August 3, 2022, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued a 103(g) letter giving Southern Nuclear Operating Company (SNC) approval to load fuel and begin the operation of its nuclear reactor at Vogtle Unit 3.[1] The reactor is one of two 1,117-MW Westinghouse AP1000 reactors SNC is building for owners Georgia Power, Oglethorpe Power, Dalton Utilities, and Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (MEAG). The project is part of an expansion of the 2.4-GW Alvin W. Vogtle Electric Generating Plant in Burke County, Georgia. The approval from the NRC is a crucial step for the project. Vogtle is the only baseload nuclear construction project in the country, and its two new reactors are the first to be built and approved under the NRC’s Part 52 combined license process. They are also the first big reactors to be built in the U.S. in roughly 30 years. SNC’s parent company Southern Company expects Unit 3 to enter service in the first quarter of 2023, while Unit 4 will enter service in the fourth quarter of 2023.

[1] https://www.georgiapower.com/company/news-center/2022-articles/historic-nuclear-regulatory-commission-103g.html

[USA] OPG and TVA to partner on new nuclear technology development

Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) announced on April 19, 2022, that they will collaborate to build small modular reactors (SMRs) at their Darlington and Clinch River sites, respectively.[1] The agreement allows the companies to coordinate their explorations into the design, licensing, construction, and operation of SMRs. The collaboration will not include exchanges of funding, but the agreement will be mutually beneficial by reducing the financial risks of innovating new technology while taking advantage of the company’s experience, the press release said. OPG and TVA are both government-owned utilities with fleets that include nuclear and hydroelectric. Both utilities are also actively exploring SMR technologies. OPG plans to deploy an SMR at its Darlington nuclear facility, the only location in Canada licensed for new nuclear with all environmental assessments completed. TVA holds the only Nuclear Regulatory Commission Early Site Permit in the U.S. for SMR deployment at its Clinch River site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

[1] https://www.tva.com/newsroom/press-releases/opg-tva-partner-on-new-nuclear-technology-development

[Japan] JAEA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to cooperate in Wyoming fast-reactor project

According to an article released by the daily Yomiuri on January 1, 2022, the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries are set to cooperate in a U.S. project to build a next-generation fast reactor in Wyoming.[1] The companies will sign a memorandum of understanding as early as January with Terrapower, an advanced nuclear power startup founded by Bill Gates, and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Terrapower is set to start operating the nuclear reactor in 2028. The U.S. government will provide funding to cover half of the project’s estimated cost of $4 billion. The fast reactor will have an output capacity of 345,000 kW and will use sodium as a coolant.

The U.S. government and Terrapower are seeking partners in Japan because commercial-scale development of a fast reactor has not taken place for many years in the U.S. JAEA, which is affiliated with the Japanese government, operates the Monju prototype fast-breeder reactor in Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture, and the Joyo experimental fast reactor in Oarai, Ibaraki Prefecture. The Monju plant is now in the decommissioning and dismantling process.  JAEA and Mitsubishi are expected to provide reactor-design technologies and reactor-operation data. According to the Japan Times, safety tests might be conducted at a JAEA facility.[2] Japan’s industry and science ministries will support preparations for the safety tests.

[1] https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/japan-help-build-bill-gates-high-tech-nuclear-reactor-wyoming-yomiuri-2022-01-01/

[2] https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/01/05/business/corporate-business/japan-us-next-generation-fast-reactor/

[USA] NuScale Power announces plans to be the first advanced nuclear reactor company to go public

NuScale Power, a developer of advanced nuclear reactor technology, announced on December 14, 2021, that it plans to go public by merging with Spring Valley Acquisition, a publicly-traded special purpose acquisition company.[1] The move marks the first time an advanced reactor company has gone public. The NuScale Power Module (NPM) is the first and only small nuclear reactor (SMR) to receive Standard Design Approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The company is currently working with the Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS) to deploy a NuScale VOYGR power plant in 2029 and is working with several other companies. According to the press release, the company could deliver the first VOYGR power plant as soon as 2027, depending on customer needs.

The combined company, named NuScale Power Corporation, will have an estimated pro-forma enterprise value of approximately $1.9 billion.  NuScale expects the transaction to provide up to $413 million in gross cash proceeds to bolster and accelerate the commercialization of its SMR technology. Existing NuScale shareholders, including majority owner Fluor, will retain their equity in NuScale and roll it into the new company. Fluor projects that it will control about 60% of the combined company and will continue to provide NuScale with engineering services, project management, administrative, and supply chain support. The agreement is subject to approval by Spring Valley’s shareholders, as well as other closing conditions. NuScale expects to close the transaction in the first half of 2022.

[1] https://newsroom.nuscalepower.com/press-releases/news-details/2021/NuScale-Power-the-Industry-Leading-Provider-ofTransformational-Small-Modular-Nuclear-Reactor-Technology-Announces-Plans-to-Go-Public-via-Merger-with-Spring-Valley-Acquisition-Corp/default.aspx

[USA] Illinois passes landmark clean energy bill, Byron and Dresden nuclear plants to begin refueling

On September 13, 2021, the Illinois State Senate voted 37-17 to approve Senate Bill 2408, called the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act,[1] and Governor JB Pritzker (D) subsequently signed the bill into law on September 15, 2021.[2] The bill aims to prevent the premature closure of nuclear plants and will provide $700 million in subsidies for struggling nuclear power plants. In response to the provisions in S.B. 2408, on September 13, 2021, Exelon Generation said it plans to begin refueling its Byron and Dresden nuclear power plants.[3] The Byron and Dresden plants were previously set to shut down on September 13, 2021, and in November 2021, respectively.

In addition to the nuclear subsidies, the bill provides $340 million in subsidies for renewable energy and $180 million in subsidies for communities where fossil fuel plants will eventually be shutting down. S.B. 2408 also calls for the municipally-owned Prairie State coal plant, the largest carbon-emitting power plant in Illinois and one of the largest in the nation, CWLP Dallman, another municipally-owned coal-fired power plant, to cut carbon emissions 45% by 2038. In addition, the legislation raises Illinois’ renewable standard to 40% by 2030 and 50% by 2040, compared to its current renewable requirement of 25% of electricity by 2025.

[1]https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=2408&GAID=16&DocTypeID=SB&LegId=135062&SessionID=110&GA=102#actions

[2] https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/pritzker-signs-transformative-energy-plan-aimed-at-bringing-state-to-100-clean-energy-by-2050/2612986/

[3] https://www.exeloncorp.com/newsroom/passage-of-illinois-energy-legislation-preserves-nuclear-plants-and-strengthens-states-clean-energy-leadership

[Japan] TEPCO releases plan to discharge radioactive water from its Fukushima Plant

Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) released its plans on August 25, 2021, to construct a roughly 1 km-long undersea tunnel to release treated radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.[1] Since the accident in 2011, more than 1 million tons of treated water has accumulated at the complex. The water was contaminated when it was pumped into the ruined reactors to cool the melted fuel and is being treated using an advanced liquid processing system. While the process removes most radioactive materials, it leaves behind tritium, which is considered low risk at low concentrations. On August 24, 2021, the Japanese government announced that it will buy marine products to support the fishing industry in case the release of treated water from the plant hurts their sales.[2] Prior to this, in April 2021, the government decided to start discharging treated water in the spring of 2023. However, the plan has been opposed by fishermen, citizens, and nearby countries.

TEPCO will construct the undersea tunnel by hollowing out bedrock on the seabed near the plant’s No. 5 reactor. The tunnel will stretch 1 km east and release the water into an area where there are no fishing rights in place. The company will dilute the treated water with seawater to reduce the tritium concentration to less than 1,500 becquerels per liter. Because the seawater in the port in front of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant contains radioactive materials, the seawater will be taken from elsewhere. TEPCO plans to apply to the Nuclear Regulation Authority for a review of the construction plans and begin preparatory work soon. The company hopes to start construction in early 2022 and begin operations in spring 2023 in line with government policy.

[1] https://www.tepco.co.jp/en/hd/newsroom/press/archives/2021/20210825_01.html

[2] https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/08/24/national/fukushima-water-tunnel/

[USA] FirstEnergy agrees to pay $230 million fine for bribing Ohio officials

On July 22, 2021, FirstEnergy Corporation announced that it had reached a settlement agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio to pay a $230 million penalty for bribing Ohio officials to guarantee the passage of Creates Ohio Clean Air Program (HB-6).[1][2] Passed on July 23, 2019, HB-6 created a ratepayer-funded $1.5 billion subsidy for two northern Ohio nuclear power plants previously owned by FirstEnergy and two coal-fired plants on the Ohio River jointly owned by the state's utilities. When the bill was being considered, FirstEnergy strongly lobbied for the passage of HB-6 and said that it would otherwise have to prematurely close the two nuclear plants. According to the federal disclosure, FirstEnergy cooperated with federal investigators to disclose bribing state officials through dark money groups to get HB-6 passed. FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries donated $59 million between 2017 and 2020 to Generation Now, a group controlled by then-Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives Larry Householder (R). The company set up a group called Partners for Progress in February 2017 as a 501(c)(4), which are registered lobbying entities, through which it directed $25 million "to entities associated with public officials" over two years.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Ohio charged FirstEnergy for conspiring to commit honest services wire fraud. The charge will be dismissed so long as FirstEnergy cooperates with the government for the three-year period of the settlement agreement. FirstEnergy must disclose all political donations, including those made to dark money groups, during the three-year period of the agreement. In addition, the agreement requires the company to take other steps such as establishing an executive director role for the Board of Directors and hiring a new chief legal officer.

[1] https://www.firstenergycorp.com/newsroom/news_articles/firstenergy-reaches-agreement-to-resolve-department-of-justice-i.html

[2] https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdoh/pr/firstenergy-charged-federally-agrees-terms-deferred-prosecution-settlement