Holtec International has deployed the first industrial robot developed under a programme it launched in 2019: a portable robotic welder, which is used to weld lids to multi-purpose canisters. Using a robot drastically reduces the dose to the loading crew during such operations.

The US Department of Energy has delivered the nuclear power system for the Perseverance rover for NASA's Mars 2020 mission which is due to launch next month. The Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator was fuelled, built and tested by DOE's national laboratories.

The US International Development Finance Corporation has proposed policy changes that would remove a prohibition on it providing support for nuclear power projects. This would enable the DFC to offer financing for projects to deploy technologies such as small modular reactors in developing countries.
 

The first HI-TRAN 300 transporter has been successfully manufactured and factory tested by Holtec International's Advanced Manufacturing Division in Camden, New Jersey. With a rated lift capacity of 300 tons, the transporter is intended for moving used fuel casks as well as heavy loads at Holtec's SMR-160 plant.

GE-Hitachi Global Laser Enrichment and the US Department of Energy have signed an amendment to their agreement on the sale of depleted uranium hexafluoride inventories underpinning plans for a commercial laser enrichment facility at Paducah in Kentucky. Separately, the DOE has formalised how it plans to dispose of any waste depleted uranium oxides from its former gaseous diffusion enrichment plants.

The US Department of Energy "strongly supports" the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's proposal to apply risk-based emergency preparedness requirements to small modular reactors (SMRs) and other new technologies. DOE said the NRC's proposed rule is "the next step in determining the appropriate Emergency Planning Zone size for SMRs and is crucial for the US nuclear industry and the overall development of the technology".

The American Nuclear Society has called on the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission to take action on reprocessing and recycling of used nuclear fuel, saying the lack of an efficient, technically robust, and technology-inclusive regulatory foundation is a barrier to innovation, especially for vendors of advanced nuclear reactors.

The European Union plus France, Germany and the UK have said they "deeply regret" the USA's decision to end three sanction waivers covering Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action projects in Iran. Separately, a spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry said the US decision "hampers" international non-proliferation progress.

Kairos Power of the USA has entered into a strategic collaboration with advanced materials supplier Materion Corporation to develop a reliable and cost-effective supply of coolant for its fluoride salt-cooled, high-temperature reactor (KP-FHR). Materion will supply beryllium fluoride, technical consultation, key interfaces and support services.

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has for the first time accepted a single dry run inspection of multi-purpose canister (MPC) lid welding representing used fuel loading at multiple nuclear power plant sites. The welding dry run was conducted by Holtec International and Exelon Generation in support of Exelon's implementation of Holtec's dry cask storage systems at its Peach Bottom nuclear power plant. The systems are also planned for use at its Limerick, Ginna, Nine Mile Point and Calvert Cliffs plants.

The final module - a 750,000 gallon (2.8 million litre) water tank - has been installed at Georgia Power's Vogtle unit 3. The CB-20 module is a major part of the AP1000 reactor's advanced passive safety system.

Energy Fuels Inc is continuing work on a programme to investigate using the USA's only currently operational conventional uranium mill, White Mesa, to process uranium and thorium-bearing rare earth element (REE) ores and recover uranium while producing REE concentrates.