A robotic examination of an in-service condensate storage tank at a US nuclear power reactor has been successfully completed. Previously plant operators would have to use divers or empty the tanks in order to conduct manual inspections.

The US-based Electric Power Research Institute and Japan's Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry have agreed to extend their collaborative research agreement for a further five years.

The USA and China have jointly announced separate targets for greenhouse gas emissions over the next 10-15 years. They hope other countries will follow their lead so that a global climate agreement can be reached next year.

Energy Fuels has completed the transfer of the Piñon Ridge project, including the radioactive materials licence for a proposed uranium mill at the Colorado site, to a private investor group.

A consignment of irradiated experimental fast reactor fuel has returned to the Idaho National Laboratory in the USA from France for the final stages of a study that has been ongoing for over eight years.

Honeywell is preparing to restart the Metropolis uranium conversion plant after making enhancements to its procedures following its review of the 26 October incident involving an on-site release of materials at the Illinois site.

Five R&D projects supporting advanced reactor technologies have been selected to receive $13 million of cost-share funding from the US Department of Energy (DoE). All of the research is being carried out by public-private partnerships.

The Utah Division of Radiation Control has conditionally approved the transfer of the radioactive materials licence for the Shootaring Canyon uranium mill from Uranium One to Anfield Resources, and has given Anfield an extra year to prepare a licence renewal application for the plant.

Further legal challenges have been filed against the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission ruling on storage of used nuclear fuel. The petitions from environmental groups and tribal representatives follow a challenge over the legality of the rule filed by the states of New York, Vermont and Connecticut.

Three US states have launched a legal challenge to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) recently approved final rule on storage of used nuclear fuel after reactors have closed. The petition filed on behalf of the states of New York, Vermont and Connecticut alleges that the rule violates federal environmental legislation.

Construction has been completed of a "beyond design" dome at Dominion's North Anna nuclear power plant in Virginia. The dome - which will house emergency equipment and supplies - is the first of its kind in the USA.

Honeywell's uranium conversion plant at Metropolis, Illinois suffered a leak late on 26 October which plant operators said was contained by prompt action and water sprays.