New Mexico (N.M.) has reached a settlement with the Department of Energy (DoE) over the renewal of a permit for the only underground repository for nuclear waste in the U.S. Officials with the New Mexico Environment Department announced Tuesday that an agreement was reached last week after four days of negotiation with the DoE. The state first laid out its terms in December. N.M. was seeking to ensure that high-level waste such as diluted plutonium would not be sent to N.M.
      The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in southeastern New Mexico plays a critical role in the U.S. multibillion-dollar effort to clean up radioactive waste left by decades of nuclear research and the manufacture of nuclear weapons. Currently, N.M. is licensed to receive what is referred to as transuranic waste. This is waste generated by the nation’s nuclear weapons program that is contaminated with radioactive elements that are heavier than uranium.
     The draft of the new permit would provide greater regulatory oversight and safeguards at the repository over the next ten years, according to officials. It would also prioritize the cleanup of Cold War-era waste at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). The first atomic bomb in the U.S. arsenal was developed at the LANL.
     James Kenney is the head of New Mexico’s Environment Department. He said, “The new permit conditions affirm New Mexico’s authority and position that all roads lead from WIPP — we are no longer the last stop for clean-up but the driving force in that process that begins here.” The state agency expects to publish the modified permit on the 15th of August. There will be a public meeting following the publication. It is hoped that a final permit will be issued in October.
     Nuclear watchdog groups said that they were in support of the agreement because it focuses on the waste at the LANL. It also required greater transparency about legacy defense-related waste around the U.S. The new permit includes language that would enable N.M. to suspend shipments to WIPP if there is evidence of a threat to human health or the environment.
     N.M. could move to revoke the permit if Congress were to increase WIPP’s capacity or expand the types of waste that could be shipped to the repository. State officials and watchdogs have said that language serves as a hedge against N.M. becoming the nation’s permanent dumping ground for such waste.
     Under the new permit, the DoE would have to provide documentation on its progress siting another underground repository in a state other than N.M. through a new annual report. The DoE would also have to hold quarterly meetings to update the public.
     N.M. is justified in being concerned about the way in which WIPP is being run. A few years ago, the repository had to be temporally shut down in order to clean up radioactive materials which had escaped through the ventilation system. A review of the accident indicated that part of the problem was how waste coming from LANL was packaged. There were also problems with the lack of adherence to regulatory standards in the construction and maintenance of the WIPP.

Ambient office = 152 nanosieverts per hour

Ambient outside = 168 nanosieverts per hour

Soil exposed to rain water = 167 nanosieverts per hour

Mini cucumber from Central Market = 80 nanosieverts per hour

Tap water = 112 nanosieverts per hour

Filter water = 82 nanosieverts per hour

     The U.S. Senate has introduced a resolution which proposes that the actions of Russia, Belarus “or a proxy of Russia” be considered as an attack on NATO if such actions result in radioactive contamination of the allies’ territory. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal announced the resolution at a press conference on June 22nd.
     The U.S. has already warned Russia of serious consequences should they make use of tactical nuclear weapons. However, this the first time that U.S. officials say that this also applies if Russia engineers a nuclear accident at a civilian nuclear facility.
     Volodymyr Zelenskyy is the President of Ukraine. He has said that, according to intelligence information, Russia may be preparing to commit a terrorist attack at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. The fear is that such an attack could lead to a serious leak of radioactive materials and unleash a cloud which could reach the territory of NATO members. At this time, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is under the control of the Russian occupying forces.
     The senators noted that Russia had moved tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus. This the first time since the collapse of the USSR that Russia has moved its nuclear weapons beyond its own borders. It is a serious threat to global security. By deploying tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus, Russia is increasing the possibility of global nuclear war. Unfortunately, the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons has so far been met by the Western nations with serious indifference. The deploying of Russian nuclear weapons is a very dangerous move by Putin that could have major global consequences.
     Graham and Blumenthal proposed that any use of tactical nuclear weapons by the Russian Federation, Belarus or a proxy of Russia or the destruction of nuclear facilities which release radioactive elements into the territory of NATO member countries and cause serious damage should be considered an attack on the alliance and justification for the use of Article 5.
     Senator Graham said, “The threat of a use of a nuclear device by Russia is real. And the best way to deter it is to give them clarity, the Russians, as to what happens if they do that. And our message is to those around Putin. That if you do this, if you follow his orders – if he ever gives this, you can expect a massive response from NATO. And you will be at war with NATO.”
     Senator Blumenthal said, “This resolution […] is meant to send a message to Vladimir Putin and even more directly to his military, they will be destroyed, they will be eviscerated if they use tactical nuclear weapons, or if they destroy a nuclear plant in a way that threatens surrounding NATO nations. […] His (Putin’s) military risks total obliteration by NATO forces, if they are so reckless and irrational as to resort to tactical nuclear weapons,”
     The senators suggested that the Biden administration conduct appropriate consultations with the leaders of other allied countries and European partners. Actions should be considered that minimize the threat to the civilian population and prepare a diplomatic and military response that is appropriate to the situation.

Ambient office = 141 nanosieverts per hour

Ambient outside = 124 nanosieverts per hour

Soil exposed to rain water = 128 nanosieverts per hour

Blueberry from Central Market = 66 nanosieverts per hour

Tap water = 76 nanosieverts per hour

Filter water = 63 nanosieverts per hour

     U.S. President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi affirm their commitment to nuclear power as Kovvada plans intensify. The two leaders said that nuclear energy is a necessary resource for meeting climate, energy transition and energy security needs. They also mentioned “ongoing negotiations” for the construction of six AP1000 reactors in India. In addition, they discussed small modular reactor (SMR) development.
     Biden’s and Modi’s comments were made in a wide ranging joint statement issued during Modi’s visit to the U.S. this week. In the comments, they emphasized “the important role nuclear energy plays in global decarbonization efforts and affirmed nuclear energy as a necessary resource to meet our nations’ climate, energy transition, and energy security needs”.
     The two leaders mentioned “ongoing negotiations between the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and Westinghouse Electric Company (WEC) for the construction of six nuclear reactors in India” and “welcomed intensified consultations between the US DOE (Department of Energy) and India’s DAE (Department of Atomic Energy) for facilitating opportunities for WEC to develop a techno-commercial offer for the Kovvada nuclear project”.
     They also said that “the ongoing discussion on developing next generation small modular reactor technologies in a collaborative mode for the domestic market as well as for export”. SMRs are not currently mentioned in India’s formal nuclear energy plans. However, the government’s NITI Aayog policy think-tank has said that the government should consider including SMRs in the energy plans.
     India and the U.S. signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement (also known as a 123 agreement) in 2008. This followed India reaching a safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agreement. India is not a signatory of the international Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT). Kovvada, in Andhra Pradesh, was selected for the construction of six AP1000 pressurized water reactors as long ago as 2016. However, contractual arrangements have yet to be finalized.
     In the joint statement, the U.S. also reaffirmed its support for India’s membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and said that it would “continue engagement with likeminded partners to advance this goal”. The NSG is a group of nuclear supplier countries that contributes to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. It accomplishes this by controlling the export of materials, equipment and technology that could possibly be used in their manufacture. In 2016, India formally applied to join the NSG. However, to date the group has not reached a consensus on India’s proposed membership.
     India’s twenty-two nuclear power plants currently generate about three percent of India’s electricity needs. The country has confirmed plans for twenty-one new reactors. This includes eight reactors that are under construction and one reactor which has been grid-connected but is not yet in commercial operation. Most of India’s operating, and planned, reactors are indigenously designed pressurized heavy water reactors. However, two Russian-designed VVER pressurized water reactors are in operation in Kudankulam. Four more reactors are under construction. The French company EDF submitted a techno-commercial offer to build six EPRs at Jaitapur in Maharashtra to NOPCIL in 2021.

Ambient office = 125 nanosieverts per hour

Ambient outside = 133 nanosieverts per hour

Soil exposed to rain water = 136 nanosieverts per hour

Avocado from Central Market = 87 nanosieverts per hour

Tap water = 103 nanosieverts per hour

Filter water = 92 nanosieverts per hour