Greetings!

Happy Holidays to all of our readers!

In this issue we highlight recently passed important domestic policies such as the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act (NEIMA) and a local D.C. energy bill. We also feature Idaho National Laboratory's (INL) innovative response to increasing cyber threats and continue to spotlight PGS's Four Policy Pillars that support the cultural shift that is necessary to position nuclear power as a clean energy solution.

In a new publication noted below, PGS President Kenneth Luongo identifies the 4 key policy pillars necessary for nuclear power to provide global value in the 21st century, explaining its vital role in supporting de-carbonization, strengthening geopolitical competitiveness, prioritizing innovation and technology, and leading on global security and governance. The paper offers recommendations for policy makers, NGOs, philanthropic organizations and the private sector that aim to address current gaps in nuclear policy and institutional structures. Successfully developing and integrating these four policy pillars can support the cultural shift that is necessary to position nuclear power as a solution to 21st century problems, not a contributor to them.

If negotiations between the British government and the Japanese company Hitachi are not resolved before January, then Hitachi will consider aborting its nuclear project in Wales. This would limit Japan's nuclear export prospects, leaving the global market to be dominated by Russia and China.

The government of India has received a techno-commercial proposal for the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant from EDF, a French nuclear power company.

Domestic Civil Nuclear Developments

The US Senate approved the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act (NEIMA), in hopes that it will help create jobs, reduce carbon emissions and maintain an edge in nuclear innovation.

The city of Washington D.C. passed a 100% renewable energy bill on Dec. 18th, that aims to reduce greenhouse gases in the district by 44% by 2030. But many experts are calling for the bill to also include “clean” energy sources, such as nuclear.

The Department of Energy's Advanced Projects Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) announced $18 million for trans-formative energy technologies, including technologies supporting next-generation nuclear energy.

PSEG Nuclear became the first nuclear plant owner to file an application with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to seek zero-emission certificates under legislation passed last year to value the carbon free generation provided by the state's nuclear power plants. 

The director general of UzAtom, Uzbekistan's state nuclear agency, writes about Uzbekistan's choice for nuclear power. He writes that while many were surprised by the decision, nuclear power would offer the country a balanced energy future.

Noteworthy Research

In a recently published article David Gatti, Joshua Darnell, and Joshua Massey analyzes the current leadership in the nuclear industry. Their conclusions are that lack of U.S. leadership in nuclear policy is an issue of national security.

At a workshop in Moscow, hosted by International Institute for Strategic Studies ( IISS), experts gathered to discuss the geo-strategic implications of new developments in civilian nuclear energy. The workshop’s discussions centered on the new dynamics of supply and demand, nuclear governance issues and Russian fuel-cycle policies.

Major Funding Pledges Won’t Close the Clean Energy Investment Gap

Scientific American, Dec. 26

Thinking about Climate on a Dark, Dismal Morning

Scientific American, Dec. 25

Will 2019 See Climate Maturity?

Wall Street Journal, Dec. 24

The Nuclear Energy Debate: The Climate is Changing

Nuclear Energy Institute, Dec. 20

For more than a decade, the Partnership for Global Security (PGS) has developed actionable responses to global security challenges by engaging international, private sector, and multidisciplinary expert partners to assess policy needs, identify effective strategies, and drive demonstrable results.