Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) has signed a contract worth two hundred million dollars to construct a tritium removal facility at the site of Romania’s Cernavoda nuclear power plant. The Romanians developed the technology that will be used at the new facility.
     Hwang Joo-ho is the CEO of KHNP. Cosmin Ghiță is the general manager of Romanian nuclear power plant operator Societatea Nationala Nuclearelectrica (SNN). The two men signed the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract in Seoul on the 27th of June.
     As Candu pressurized heavy water reactors age, tritium accumulates in their moderator and heat transport systems. Tritium is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen with one proton and two neutrons in the nucleus. Increased levels of tritium can significantly contribute to personnel dose rates of radioactivity and radioactive emissions levels in the environment. Tritium removal technology is designed to capture and process tritium so it can be properly stored. This process reduces environmental impact, personnel exposure levels and enhances workplace safety.
    The Cernavoda tritium removal facility will be the world’s third such facility and the first one in Europe. The technology that will be used was developed by the Romanian National Research and Development Institute for Cryogenic and Isotopic Technologies (ICSI). The ICSI is a scientific research and technology development unit under the coordination of the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitalization.
     The new tritium removal facility will include several high-technology areas. These include liquid phase isotopic separation, cryogenic distillation, and high-vacuum operations. The extracted tritium will be stored in secure and safe specialized containers ready for future use.
     The SNN said that the facility will “give Romania the opportunity to become a European hub for tritium production and export – the fuel candidate of future clean fusion reactors. Also, Romania has the opportunity to develop its suppliers’ chain and become a center for development and export of the Romanian tritium removal technology and know-how, using localized factories and workforce”. 
     KNHP was selected as the EPC contractor after a public procurement process. It is estimated that the project will be completed in fifty months.
     Ghiță said, “We are happy to implement a Romanian innovative technology, based on years of research and development, a true statement of Romania’s leadership in nuclear industry. KHNP, a leading expert in the field is the right partner to support us in delivering a safe and reliable project. The tritium removal facility represents Nuclearelectrica’s constant commitment to safe operation and protection of the environment and population. Our purpose, through our investment projects, technological advancement and international cooperation, is to provide Romania a leading role in the nuclear industry and support its energy security. I am fully appreciative of ICSI, my team at Nuclearelectrica and our partners for their efforts and shared vision for a sustainable future for the next generation.”
     Currently, Cernavoda is the only operational nuclear power plant in Romania. It consists of two six hundred and fifty megawatt Candu-6 reactors. Reactor One went into commercial operation in 1996 and Reactor Two went operational in 2007. SNN is working on extending the life of Reactor One to sixty years. Tritium removal facilities are already in operation at the Ontario Power Generation’s Darlington plant in Canada and KHNP’s Wolsong plant in China.

Ambient office = 94 nanosieverts per hour

Ambient outside = 88 nanosieverts per hour

Soil exposed to rain water = 84 nanosieverts per hour

Strawberry from Central Market = 80 nanosieverts per hour

Tap water = 117 nanosieverts per hour

Filter water = 101 nanosieverts per hour

     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