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Gyeongsangbuk-do lawmakers demand stronger nuclear power plant accident notification and oversight

On September 3, Gyeongsangbuk-do lawmaker Kim Jae-jun spoke at the 365th provisional session of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Council, criticizing the delayed notification and inadequate response to the recent boric acid solution leak at Unit 6 of the Hanul Nuclear Power Plant, and calling for stronger resident safety protection mechanisms in areas with concentrated nuclear power plants. Kim stated that on August 3, a boric acid solution containing radioactive materials leaked from Unit 6 of the Hanul Nuclear Power Plant during spent fuel transfer, but local residents were not informed of the incident until approximately three weeks after it occurred. He argued that Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) failed to disclose information about the incident promptly and transparently, undermining residents' trust in nuclear safety management...

2026-09-04

Radiation Emergency Drill Conducted at Unit 6 of South Korea's Hanul Nuclear Power Plant

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) recently conducted a comprehensive radiation disaster prevention drill at Unit 6 of its Hanul Nuclear Power Plant to test the emergency response system and on-site handling capabilities under radiation emergency conditions. According to the Hanul Nuclear Power Plant, the drill was held on September 3, organized in accordance with the evaluation guidelines established by the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS) and based on the National Radiation Emergency Plan. The drill scenario was not disclosed in advance, and the evaluation methods were also adjusted, with a focus on verifying the unit's response capabilities under actual emergency scenarios. During the drill, all emergency personnel of Unit 6 at Hanul Nuclear Power Plant participated in the response. The scenario simulated a casualty incident occurring within the controlled area, with medical rescue operations organized, and a 3.2 MW mobile generator was used to inspect the operational capability of emergency facilities.

2026-09-04

Japan's Tomari Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3 Restart Review Still Requires Additional Fire Safety Documentation

On September 3, a review meeting was held for the restart plan of Unit 3 at Japan's Tomari Nuclear Power Plant. The Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) pointed out that the explanations submitted by Hokkaido Electric Power regarding fire safety measures still contain issues requiring further confirmation, and requested the company to provide more detailed assessment materials. The equipment design and construction plan required for the restart of Tomari Unit 3 has been under review since last year. One of the current review priorities is whether relevant workers have adequate and feasible evacuation measures in the event of a fire on site. At the meeting that day, representatives of Hokkaido Electric Power explained the revised fire safety...

2026-09-04

Fire alarms triggered nine times in four weeks at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station

At 21:44 on September 3, a fire alarm was triggered in the water treatment control room building of Japan's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) stated that no open flames or smoke were found at the scene. After firefighters arrived and conducted inspections, it was confirmed shortly after 22:30 that evening that this was not a fire. TEPCO said it would subsequently inspect the relevant detectors. Including this incident, the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station has triggered a total of nine fire alarms in the past four weeks. Previously, on August 8, a fire alarm was triggered in the maintenance building for Units 5 and 6; on August 12, an alarm sounded in the emergency diesel generator room for the high-pressure core spray system of Unit 6; on August 13, an alarm sounded in the main office building; on August 15, an alarm sounded in the southwest stairwell area of the turbine building for Unit 5...

2026-09-04

The Fifth Meeting of 2026 on the Construction of the Nuclear Power Safety and Health Archive System Convened

Recently, the Working Group on the Construction of the Nuclear Power Safety and Health Archive System held its fifth promotion meeting of 2026 and thematic subgroup meetings. Representatives from all member units of the working group and relevant organizations attended the meetings. The meetings discussed the progress of informatization construction, computing resource allocation, data governance and sharing, and R&D of digital and intelligent applications for the nuclear power safety and health archive system. Live demonstrations were conducted on the functional implementation of the health archive information systems on both the regulatory side and across various corporate groups. The achievements in system construction were summarized on a phased basis, existing issues were reviewed, and near-term work tasks were deployed. The meetings noted that the construction of the nuclear power safety and health archive system is an important endeavor in promoting the transformation of nuclear safety management and regulatory mechanisms. At present, data governance has achieved initial results, the data verification mechanism has been effectively implemented, and the development of application scenarios is being steadily advanced, creating conditions for the continued improvement of the system. The meetings required that: first, continue to adhere to a goal-oriented and problem-oriented approach, focus on the fundamental functions of the system, concentrate efforts on further addressing shortcomings in a targeted manner, and steadily advance system construction; second, in light of pilot application results, promptly conduct reviews and summaries, comprehensively identify difficulties, bottlenecks, and weak links, and improve the system's operational effectiveness across the entire process; third, continue to coordinate and advance various tasks including data benchmarking and warehousing, frontline demand research, and scenario development and implementation, making every effort to ensure the high-quality completion of the nuclear power safety and health archive system, thereby contributing to the continuous improvement of the operational safety and construction quality of nuclear power plants in China.

2026-09-04

IAEA Launches Research Project on Edible Insects and Novel Food Safety

As demand for alternative protein sources grows, the International Atomic Energy Agency recently launched a five-year coordinated research project focusing on potential safety risks associated with the production, processing, and consumption of edible insects and other novel foods, while promoting the application of nuclear, isotopic, and related analytical techniques in food safety testing. Edible insects are gaining increasing attention. Data show that more than 2,000 species of edible insects are known globally, with approximately 2 billion people regularly consuming insects; at least 113 countries currently consume one or more insect species. In Africa, Asia, the Pacific region, and Latin America, insects have long been part of the diet for certain populations. As...

2026-09-03

West Physics Acquires U.S. Medical Physics Services Provider RTS, Expanding Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Safety Service Network

West Physics Consulting, LLC, a U.S. provider of medical and health physics consulting services, announced on September 2, 2026, that it has acquired Radiographic Testing Services, Inc. (RTS). Headquartered in Albany, New York, RTS primarily provides medical physics services covering nuclear medicine, diagnostic radiology, radiation oncology, and Certified Radiological Equipment Safety Officer (CRESO)-related services. West Physics stated that this acquisition will integrate the strengths of both companies in customer service, quality management, and technical capabilities. Upon completion of the transaction, the company will add a new office in Albany, New York, and further expand its presence in Albany, New York...

2026-09-03

Second Phase of Decommissioning for Unit 1 of Japan's Ikata Nuclear Power Plant Approved by Prefectural Committee

The Environmental Safety Management Committee for the Ikata Nuclear Power Plant in Ehime Prefecture, Japan, held a meeting in Matsuyama City on September 2 to discuss plans by Shikoku Electric Power to proceed with the second phase of decommissioning for Unit 1 of the Ikata Nuclear Power Plant. The unit, located in Ikata-cho, Ehime Prefecture, is currently in the process of being decommissioned. The decommissioning of Unit 1 at the Ikata Nuclear Power Plant has been divided into four main phases. Shikoku Electric Power had previously conducted prior consultations with Ehime Prefecture and Ikata-cho regarding the transition to the next phase, obtained local consent, and submitted relevant applications to Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA). In July of this year, the NRA approved the application...

2026-09-03

Belarusian Radioactive Waste Disposal Facility Site Selection May Be Determined by Year-End

Belarusian Energy Minister Denis Moroz recently stated that the site selection for Belarus's radioactive waste disposal facility is expected to be determined by the end of this year. The relevant announcement was made during events marking the 25th anniversary of the Belarusian Ministry of Energy. Moroz noted that Belarus began studying radioactive waste management issues before the final commissioning of its nuclear power plant. Following feasibility studies, Belarus decided to construct a radioactive waste disposal facility and established a dedicated Belarusian radioactive waste management organization to oversee the relevant work. Preliminary work on the disposal facility is currently underway. Moroz stated that radiation safety is of paramount importance to Belarus, and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) documents have already...

2026-09-03

External power supply interruption at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has lasted for 14 days

Yashina, head of communications at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, stated that the external power supply interruption at the plant has lasted for 14 days, with power currently provided by diesel generators, and that on-site personnel are still able to ensure the safe condition of the plant. According to an earlier statement from the plant, on August 20, the "Ferroalloy-1" power line was damaged, causing the external power supply interruption at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. The damage site is located in an area where repair work cannot currently be carried out. After the loss of external power, the plant activated its backup power system. Fuel reserves remain available on site, but to conserve these reserves and maintain stable equipment operation, the operating mode of the diesel generators needs to be optimized. Yashina stated that the plant has been powered by diesel generators for 14 consecutive days...

2026-09-03

DOE Officials Visit Fort St. Vrain Spent Fuel Storage Facility in Colorado

Tim Walsh, Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Environmental Management (EM), recently visited the Fort St. Vrain spent nuclear fuel storage facility near Platteville in northern Colorado. The facility is managed by the DOE's Idaho Cleanup Project (ICP) and its contractor, Idaho Environmental Coalition (IEC). During the visit, Walsh inspected the storage facility and multiple supporting buildings to learn about the operational mission and historical background of the Fort St. Vrain facility. The facility currently stores spent nuclear fuel from the former Fort St. Vrain power station, which operated using gas-cooled reactor technology and was shut down in 1979...

2026-09-02

Declaration of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization on Strengthening Multilateral Partnership in Nuclear Safety and Nuclear Security

The member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (hereinafter referred to as the SCO), based on historical ties, a century-old tradition of good neighborliness, and mutual respect, declare their commitment to the SCO Charter, the Charter of the United Nations, and the universally recognized principles and norms of international law, including respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference in internal affairs. Upholding the Shanghai Spirit of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations, and pursuit of common development, they confirm that the responsibility for nuclear security rests entirely with each state, and note that the responsibility for nuclear safety rests with the operators of nuclear facilities and the states in which such facilities are located. They attach great importance to nuclear safety and nuclear security issues, which are important elements of international security directly affecting the lives of the peoples of SCO member states, and express deep concern over the illicit trafficking of nuclear materials and other radioactive substances, threats to nuclear facilities and infrastructure (including computer security), and the risk of nuclear terrorism...

2026-09-02

NuScale Completes First Manufacturing of Boron Carbide Pellets for SMR Safety Component in the U.S.

NuScale Power and MillenniTEK recently announced that they have successfully manufactured the first batch of boron carbide pellets for NuScale's passive emergency core cooling system (ECCS). This component will be used in NuScale's small modular reactor (SMR) technology and is one of the dedicated components in its reactor safety system. According to reports, in nuclear power plants employing NuScale technology, when the emergency core cooling system is activated, the boron carbide pellets dissolve into the reactor coolant, helping to control and maintain core reactivity at safe levels without operator intervention. This manufacturing effort is considered a key advancement in NuScale's preparation for commercial deployment, involving the validation of dedicated safety components and associated manufacturing processes.

2026-09-02

South Korea's Nuclear Safety Regulatory Budget for 2027 Rises to KRW 303 Billion

The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) of South Korea announced on September 1 that it has allocated KRW 303 billion for the 2027 budget, an increase of KRW 10.4 billion from this year. The new budget focuses on areas such as small modular reactor regulation, spent nuclear fuel safety, nuclear facility decommissioning review, environmental radiation monitoring, and nuclear safety information disclosure. Regarding small modular reactors, as non-light water reactor-type small modular reactor development projects aim to obtain licenses by the early 2030s, South Korea will invest KRW 8 billion in R&D to establish a new safety evaluation system. In addition, in line with the preliminary review system set to take effect in November this year, the government has allocated KRW 2.7 billion to conduct preliminary reviews of non-light water reactor-type small modular reactors expected to file applications next year. This system allows applicants to request regulatory review of reactor designs before formally submitting license applications.

2026-09-02

Mobilization Meeting for High-Quality Fuel Loading of Haiyang Nuclear Power Unit 3 Convened

On September 1, Shandong Nuclear Power organized a themed joint Party building learning session and the mobilization meeting for high-quality fuel loading of Haiyang Nuclear Power Unit 3. Centering on the goal of high-quality fuel loading for Unit 3, the meeting further unified understanding, clarified responsibilities, and promoted the safe, orderly, and high-quality implementation of fuel loading preparations, laying the foundation for the subsequent commissioning of the Phase II project of Haiyang Nuclear Power. The meeting conducted a themed joint Party building learning session. The Haiyang Project Department of Shanghai Nuclear Engineering Research and Design Institute (SNERDI), the Commissioning Center of SNERDI, China Nuclear Industry Fifth Construction Co., Ltd., and Jiangsu Electric Power Construction No. 3 Engineering Company respectively reported on the fuel loading preparation status of Unit 3. Participants discussed topics including Party building leading project breakthroughs and ensuring high-quality fuel loading of Unit 3. The meeting also commended...

2026-09-02