New From Us:
Senior Director Theo Kalionzes represented the Oppenheimer Project at NEI’s Nuclear Communications Forum in Washington D.C. this week, joining experts from Boundary Stone Partners and Blue Energy on a panel called “From Main Street to Wall Street: Financing Nuclear’s Next Chapter.” Theo made the case that a step change in private philanthropy, from historic neglect to deep and sustained investment, is required to achieve durable nuclear energy expansion worldwide.
Friday Highlights:
Iran Indicated it Will Turn Over Enriched Uranium, White House Says
On Wednesday, April 8, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed that Iran has signaled to American negotiators that it would turn over its stockpile of an estimated 440.9 kg of 60% enriched uranium. IAEA director General Rafael Mariano Grossi stated that nearly half of Iran’s highly enriched uranium was stored in a tunnel complex near Isfahan and is likely still there.
France Plans $39 Billion Boost to Rearmament, Nuclear Deterrence Expansion
According to a newly proposed French military planning law, the Western European country seeks to add a further $39 billion to its defense spending between now and 2030. The draft law proposes an increase in the number of nuclear warheads, whilst maintaining nuclear arms spending at about 13% of the overall defense budget.
India’s Nuclear Leap: Why Its Fast Breeder Reactor Success Matters
On Monday, April 7th, India’s prototype fast breeder reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu reached criticality – the stage at which a nuclear chain reaction can continue on its own. Once the reactor becomes fully operational, India will become only the second country after Russia to have a commercial fast breeder reactor – helping to reduce its dependence on uranium for power production.
Swedish Government Seeks Majority Stake in Nuclear Power Development Firm
On Friday, April 10th, the Swedish government announced it plans to take a 60% stake in nuclear development company Videberg Kraft as it looks to kick start the construction of a new generation of reactors to replace its aging atomic power plants. “Sweden is a nuclear nation. We are now taking the next step to clarify the state’s role and responsibility in the further development of nuclear power,” Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch said in a statement.