NRC OKs Spent Nuclear Fuel Facility in New Mexico
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission last week licensed a complex in New Mexico that will temporarily store spent nuclear fuel from power plants across the country.
The NRC said it will allow the energy company Holtec International to build and operate the facility in southeastern New Mexico, although it may still need to acquire permits from the state. Top state officials have vowed to fight the project.
The project would have capacity to temporarily store up to 8,680 metric tons of used uranium fuel. Future expansion could make room for as many as 10,000 canisters over six decades.
More: The Associated Press
DHS Searches JinkoSolar in Jacksonville
The Department of Homeland Security last week executed a search warrant at the JinkoSolar plant in Jacksonville, Fla., as part of an ongoing federal investigation.
Authorities did not release any details about the investigation spearheaded by Homeland Security Investigations, and JinkoSolar said the investigation has not altered its operations.
Based in China, JinkoSolar has 14 manufacturing plants worldwide and 24 overseas subsidiaries, according to the company. It built the plant at Cecil Commerce Center in Jacksonville in 2018.
More: Florida Times-Union
TVA to Buy Power from 40 More Solar Farms
Tennessee Valley Authority President Jeff Lyash told utility directors last week that it will begin awarding contracts this summer for about 6,000 MW of additional solar power and battery storage to help meet its long-term goal of having 10,000 MW of solar generation and a carbon-free power grid by 2050.
TVA received proposals for nearly 14,000 MW of clean energy in response to its appeal for carbon-free offers. Lyash said TVA’s review of the offers determined 6,000 MW of proposals, representing about 40 solar farms across the Tennessee Valley, were workable and efficient enough to be pursued by TVA. Lyash said he hopes the solar arrays can be built and will produce power by 2032.
