Publications: ExchangeMonitor Morning Briefing
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Budget & Policy
DOE still restricting access to DNFSB, board says
The Department of Energy is still being very tight-fisted when it comes to sharing information with the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, DNFSB said in a recent letter to Congress. In addition, the congressionally-created safety watchdog said in its July 10 letter that DOE is not living up to the terms of a 2022 memorandum […]
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Uranium Enrichment & Fuel Cycle
Curio begins design phase for fuel recycling technology facility
Companies Curio Energy, and Sargent & Lundy, have partnered up to begin the engineering and facility design process for Curio’s NuCycle nuclear fuel recycling facility. Washington, D.C.-based fuel recycling company Curio said in a Tuesday press release the engineering work done with Sargent and Lundy would create the engineering foundational basis needed to support its […]
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Budget & Policy
GAO: NNSA must better plan workforce, update long-term science infrastructure strategy
A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report released Wednesday found the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has not fully assessed the workforce and programmatic resources needed to support planned investments in the scientific infrastructure underpinning U.S. stockpile stewardship. The report recommends that NNSA conduct a comprehensive assessment of its long-term science, technology and engineering workforce and […]
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Plutonium Pit Production
New study says NNSA underestimates toll of pit production fire
A new study by Princeton University researchers argues that the National Nuclear Security Administration’s analysis underestimates the geographic and health impacts of any potential severe plutonium fire at pit production facilities. The peer-reviewed study, published in Science & Global Security, examines hypothetical plutonium fire scenarios at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico and the […]
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Uranium Enrichment & Fuel Cycle
NNSA authorizes startup of new uranium processing capability at Y-12
The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has authorized startup of the Calciner Project at Y-12 National Security Complex, adding another modernized uranium processing capability. The calciner converts uranium-bearing liquid solutions from pipes and process equipment into a stable solid form for storage, allowing radioactive material to be removed from legacy facilities and supporting the eventual […]
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Advanced Nuclear & SMRs
Holtec moves forward with plans to go public
After a year of floating around the idea of going public, Holtec International officially filed its registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to start the process. The Form S-1, which is required by the SEC for domestic companies to submit to offer public offerings, was on July 10, but has not become […]
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Budget & Policy
Another RECA expansion bill on the way
While advocates are thankful Congress expanded the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) in 2025, they said Tuesday last year’s action did not go far enough. As a result, James Moylan (R-Guam), a non-voting delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives, and other House members representing atomic veterans and downwinders, plan to propose another RECA expansion […]
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- Democrats’ nuclear support could ‘evaporate’ if Trump fires another NRC member, Pallone says
- New Jersey governor signs bill to add 1,100 MW of nuclear power
- NNSS starts market research on fire protection services
- Ex-employee files harassment suit against Hanford boss; Bechtel named as defendant
- Retired Navy Vice Adm. Roegge joins HII nuclear and environmental team
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Advanced Nuclear & SMRs
New Jersey governor signs bill to add 1,100 MW of nuclear power
The procurement process to add at least 1,100 megawatts of new nuclear energy in the state of New Jersey has begun after Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D) signed a bill Monday. The bill, Power NJ Act, creates a competitive bid process by state agencies to analyze proposals to ensure ratepayers get the best value, Sherrill said […]
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Innovation & Infrastructure
NNSS starts market research on fire protection services
Mission Support and Test Services (MSTS), prime contractor for the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) Nevada National Security Site (NNSS), issued a request for information and expression of interest to help develop procurement strategy for fire suppression system services. The pre-solicitation notice seeks industry feedback to help shape a future contract supporting the full life […]
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Cleanup & Remediation
Ex-employee files harassment suit against Hanford boss; Bechtel named as defendant
An ex-apprentice electrician at the Hanford Site’s Waste Treatment Plant in Richland, Wash., has filed a sexual harassment lawsuit in federal court against her former foreman and companies in charge of the facility. Madalyn Jennings, of Yakima County, filed the litigation last month in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington. Jennings […]
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Reactor Licensing & Regulation
Democrats’ nuclear support could ‘evaporate’ if Trump fires another NRC member, Pallone says
The Democratic Party’s support for nuclear power legislation could be in jeopardy if the Donald Trump administration attempts to fire another commissioner from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) said Tuesday. Pallone’s comments during the House Energy and Commerce’s Energy subcommittee markup hearing on six nuclear bills came after the June 29 Supreme […]
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Naval Nuclear Propulsion
Retired Navy Vice Adm. Roegge joins HII nuclear and environmental team
Retired U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Frederick Roegge has joined Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Mission Technologies division as vice president of operations for its Nuclear and Environmental team, the company announced Tuesday. In the role, Roegge will oversee the company’s subsidiary HII Nuclear’s management and operation of Department of Energy and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) […]
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Budget & Policy
Lindsey Graham’s sister to serve out remainder of term
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) Monday appointed Darline Graham Nordone, Sen. Lindsey Graham’s (R) sister, to finish out the late Senator’s term and fill the vacant seat left by his unexpected death Saturday. “Lindsey Graham recognized the greatness of America, the seriousness of his work, and also the value of human and lighthearted spirit,” […]
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Nuclear Weapons & Stockpile
NNSA issues ‘no significant impact’ statement on Y-12 property
The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has determined that construction and operation of a new East End Campus at the Y-12 National Security Complex will not significantly affect the quality of the human environment. This finding clears the way for the project to move forward without preparing a full environmental impact statement. NNSA issued a […]
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Vitrification & Grout
DOE prepares to grout secondary waste byproduct from Hanford EMF
The Department of Energy’s Hanford Site in Richland, Wash., has made its first shipment of concentrate from the Effluent Management Facility (EMF) to a nearby plant operated by Perma-Fix for grouting, DOE said Monday. The EMF concentrate is a liquid waste byproduct created when Hanford’s radioactive underground tank waste is vitrified into a glass form […]
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Plutonium Pit Production
New Mexico town passes resolution opposing pit production
The Town of Taos, N.M. last month approved a resolution opposing the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) plans to expand plutonium pit production at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), calling for further environmental review. Resolution 26-37, adopted June 9, cites a Feb. 11 NNSA Defense Programs memorandum, Responsive Today, Dominant Tomorrow: Enhancing American Nuclear Dominance, […]
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Budget & Policy
House Energy panel to take up six nuclear bills
A House Energy and Commerce Committee panel is set to consider six nuclear power-related bills Tuesday morning, according to the committee’s website. The Energy Subcommittee will convene at 10:15 a.m. Eastern Time to markup bills on topics ranging from uranium enrichment to Nuclear Regulatory Commission pay to nuclear transparency at the Department of Energy. The […]
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Reactor Licensing & Regulation
NRC plans virtual public meetings on proposed rule changes
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is planning a series of virtual public meetings this week on proposed rule changes following the Advance Act and a 2025 executive order by President Donald Trump. On Monday July 13, starting at 1 p.m. Eastern Time, NRC will hold a public hearing on its plan to update security requirements, according […]
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High-Level & Tank Waste
Concrete construction finished on SDU-11 at Savannah River, DOE says
The liquid waste prime contractor at the Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site in South Carolina has finished key construction stages for the latest jumbo-sized Saltstone Disposal Unit (SDU), DOE said Thursday. The Savannah River Site (SRS) environmental prime Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC) and its subcontractors have now installed 208 support columns, 25 wall […]
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News & Analysis
Coming Up:
Here are events related to nuclear matters that Exchange Monitor staff are tracking: JULY 15: Meeting: House Cleanup Caucus event begins at 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time in Rooms 2043 and 2044 of the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C. 16: Meeting: The Paducah Site-Specific Advisory Board neets starting at 5:30 p.m. Central Time at […]
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Delivery Systems & Nuclear Triad
B-21 to have two pilots instead of one in pilot transition program
The B-21 Raider will have two pilots instead of one pilot and a weapons systems officer (WSO), according to the Air Force, as the service creates a competitive pilot transition program for WSOs and combat systems officers (CSOs). The Air Force said in a July 9 press release the transition program would be for the […]
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Budget & Policy
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham dead at 71
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Energy and Water subcommittee who oversees Savannah River Site in his state, died suddenly Saturday, Graham’s office said Sunday. “On the evening of Saturday, July 11, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham passed away from a brief and sudden illness,” Graham’s office said in a statement early […]
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- EM-1 Walsh wants greater “urgency” on state grout permit for Hanford
- EPC warns NATO cannot rely solely on U.S. nuclear deterrence
- Standard Nuclear moves forward to become a public company
- Deep Fission receives major component for underground reactor
- NNSA, Y-12 completes certifying B61-13 canned subassemblies
- U.S., Japan and South Korea agree to collaborate on international SMR deployments
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Vitrification & Grout
EM-1 Walsh wants greater “urgency” on state grout permit for Hanford
The head of the Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management, Tim Walsh, wrote the director of Washington state’s Department of Ecology to stress “the urgency” DOE places on state approval of grouting some of Hanford Site’s less-radioactive waste. DOE appreciates Washington state’s “willingness to consider our proposed ‘glass-plus-grout’ strategy” for the 200 East Area […]
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International
EPC warns NATO cannot rely solely on U.S. nuclear deterrence
An analyst with the European Policy Centre (EPC) warned NATO’s evolving defense posture must preserve a credible conventional military presence in Europe, arguing that nuclear guarantees alone are insufficient to deter Russia. In an op-ed published this week, EPC policy analyst Juraj Majcin said the alliance’s shift toward greater European responsibility for conventional defense — […]
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Advanced Nuclear & SMRs
Standard Nuclear moves forward to become a public company
Oak Ridge, Tenn.-based Standard Nuclear proposed its initial public offering (IPO) Tuesday just weeks after the company filed its IPO with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in mid-June. The advanced nuclear fuel company Standard Nuclear said in a Tuesday press release it is launching its “roadshow” for its proposed IPO of 18.25 million shares […]
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Advanced Nuclear & SMRs
U.S., Japan and South Korea agree to collaborate on international SMR deployments
The United States signed a memorandum of cooperation with Japan and South Korea to create a framework between the three to deploy small modular reactors (SMRs) in other countries. The initial focus on the countries’ three-way cooperation would initially focus on the Indo-Pacific region, according to the Department of State’s Tuesday press release. The agreement […]













