Unit 2 of the Novovoronezh II nuclear power plant in southwest Russia has been brought to minimum controlled power level, Rosenergoatom, the operator subsidiary of state nuclear corporation Rosatom, announced today. The milestone, which was completed on 22 March, marks the final stage in the physical start-up of the VVER-1200 reactor. World-nuclear-news.org

By the standards of the U.S. nuclear energy industry, Texas’s two nuclear plants are fairly new. Neither one is more than three decades old, while many nuclear sites across the country are nearing the five-decade mark. Houstonchronicle.com

The United States has hit Tehran with new sanctions, targeting 31 Iranian scientists, technicians, and companies it says have been involved in the country’s nuclear and missile research and development programs. Wearethemighty.com

US energy secretary Rick Perry has finalised up to $3.7bn in additional loan guarantees to finance the continued construction of the Vogtle-3 and -4 nuclear power units in Georgia. Nucnet.org