Nuclear News Roundup Dec 16, 2017 The cost of recycling spent nuclear fuel has surged since Japan started using such fuel in 1999, Kyodo News learned Saturday, adding to questions about the economics of nuclear fuel reprocessing. English.kyodonews.net New Jersey became the latest state to consider subsidizing nuclear power with a $320 million-a-year plan to keep struggling reactors from going out of business. Bloomberg.com Some critics of the Plant Vogtle project say Georgia Power could get by without the expansion of the nuclear plant. Boosting energy efficiency; adding more renewables, like solar energy; and buying power from other companies have been offered as alternate sources. Wabe.org For years, Pakistan has sought membership of the exclusive Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) that is a basket of nuclear trading nations, thus far with little success. There were few nations that were prepared to back Pakistan in large part because fears — real or imagined — surrounding the security of nuclear weapons and nuclear sites. As security has improved in the last two years and the threat to the state from powerful terrorist groups reduced, it is time to knock at the door of the NSG again and this time with at least one powerful backer. Tribune.com.pk