Greetings!

In this issue we highlight new domestic legislation promoting nuclear competitiveness in the U.S., South Korean civil nuclear developments, and new global advancements in nuclear security. We also recommend several opinion pieces that caught our attention.

Several recent developments raise serious questions about whether the U.S. and its allies are focused on the real nuclear security challenges of the 21st Century.

At the Aspen Security Forum several U.S. officials outlined the long-term, and growing, global security challenge posed by China. But, it isn’t clear that this warning is taking hold. A key element of China’s challenge is to dominate advanced technologies, including the half-trillion dollar global nuclear power market as part of its Belt and Road Initiative, which is aimed at expanding its influence with developing economy nations.

One example is the United Arab Emirates, where the first nuclear reactor in the Arab world received its electricity generation license this week. The reactor and two others under construction are being built in cooperation with the Korean Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), and they contain roughly $2 billion of U.S. content. China’s President Xi Jinping was in the UAE this week and signed 13 strategic agreements, including one to advance energy cooperation. China is also in the running to build Saudi Arabia’s first nuclear reactor.

Nuclear technology in the Middle East raises significant security and nuclear terrorism concerns, but it isn’t clear that policymakers are taking them seriously. A new assessment by the Arms Control Association and the Partnership for a Secure America states that “while the worldwide use of nuclear and radioactive materials has grown, the issue of nuclear security…has all but faded from the U.S. national conversation.” The report further cites a “concerning loss” of congressional leadership in preventing nuclear terrorism.

Effectively addressing nuclear security challenges is not just essential for existing nuclear infrastructure, but also for next generation, advanced nuclear technologies – and who will supply them. Third Way released a new report that asked whether the U.S. can regain its nuclear security leadership. It noted that the country is “losing its leadership in the global civilian nuclear marketplace [and]…as a result, its influence on nuclear security is at risk.”

Advanced reactors may have an important role to play in a carbon constrained world. As temperatures rise more pressure is being put on electric power sources. Just this week an excessive heat warning caused the California grid operator to ask residents to conserve power because “there is the potential for demand on the grid to exceed the grid’s capacity.” California is not alone as Japan recorded its highest temperature ever at 106 degrees.

Nuclear power, climate change, and global security. They are deeply entwined, and PGS’s Global Nexus Initiative is addressing their connections. But, like China’s challenge, it is not clear that our leaders are paying attention.

Kenneth Luongo , President, Partnership for Global Security

Last week, a 30-year nuclear cooperation agreement between U.S. and Japan was renewed with a “ quick repeal option” that leaves Tokyo’s energy program vulnerable to American policy shifts.

China and the United Arab Emirates agreed to deepen cooperation in all fields, including civil nuclear energy, in a comprehensive 10-point strategic partnership issued last week.

Turkish President Erdogan became the sole authority over the country’s Nuclear Regulatory Authority, raising concerns of accountability and transparency.

With the goal of reducing its dependence on Russian fuel, Ukrainian authorities loaded Westinghouse Electric Co’s nuclear fuel into the country’s VVER-1000 reactor.

The U.S. Commerce Department will investigate whether uranium imports, for use in civil nuclear energy programs, pose any threat to national security.

The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced three bills, HR 6140, HR 1320, and HR 6351, to increase the access to and competitiveness of nuclear energy in the U.S.

Exelon applied for a first-of-its-kind 80-year license renewal for its Peach Bottom 2 and 3 boiling water reactors in Pennsylvania.

South Korea is restarting its suspended Hanbit No. 3 and Hanul No. 2 reactors to meet the growing demand of electricity amid the country’s current heat wave.

Uzbekistan created the Agency for the Development of Nuclear Energy to develop and implement a unified nuclear energy policy.

Saudi Arabia will host the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to review Saudi’s efforts in creating its nuclear energy infrastructure.

The International Energy Agency reported that investment on nuclear power has fallen to a five-year low. 

Back to Nuclear Energy

The Korea Herald, July 22

Arab States Court the Atom

Qantara, July 18

Next-gen Nukes

Grist, July 18

How Russia, China Use Nuclear Reactors To Win Global Influence

Defense One, July 13

Senate To Prove Growing Cybersecurity Threats, Is Energy Infrastructure Safe?

Forbes, July 11

Spotlight

PGS President Ken Luongo sat down with Bret Kugelmass, host of the Titans of Nuclear Podcast, to discuss the crucial role of PGS in addressing 21st Century global security challenges.

The Partnership for Global Security (PGS) is a recognized international leader and innovator in nuclear and transnational security policy developing actionable responses to 21st century security challenges by engaging international, private sector, and multidisciplinary expert partners to assess policy needs, identify effective strategies, and drive demonstrable results.