The Senate passed a sweeping bill containing many incentives for nuclear power. The Acceleration of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear Deployment for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act it was accepted by 88 votes to 2. An earlier version of the bill also won bipartisan support in the House earlier this year.
These incentives include financial rewards for the first companies to process recycled nuclear waste. The bill would reform the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and streamline the regulatory process for new reactors. Following the bill’s passage, US Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Tom Carper said in a statement: “The ADVANCE Act will provide the Nuclear Regulatory Commission with the tools and manpower it needs to effectively review new nuclear technologies while protecting the NRC’s critical safety mission and creation of thousands of jobs”.
Senators Bernie Sanders and Ed Markey were the two dissenting voices, the latter arguing that the ADVANCE Act made the NRC a facilitator rather than a regulator. “This bill is more about promoting and corporate profiteering than protecting the community,” Markey said.
Environmental groups have reacted strongly both for and against the bill. The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) nuclear energy security director Dr. : “Make no mistake: This isn’t about making the reactor licensing process more efficient, it’s about weakening overall safety and security controls, a long-standing industry goal.”
– Matt Smith
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A super slim travel companion for almost any gadget.
For just $80, Logitech’s Keys-To-Go 2 is an amazingly versatile all-purpose travel keyboard. Its battery lasts a long time, it has a comfortable interior cover and it’s easy to use between several devices. It’s also incredibly thin. Niche, yes. Well, yes.
He wants a statewide ban on school phones.
California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a statement supporting efforts to limit the use of smartphones in schools across the state. He did so just hours before Los Angeles school district board members passed a proposal to ban school phones. Newsom said this summer he will work with lawmakers to “restrict smartphone use during the school day” because kids and teens “need to focus on their studies, not their screens.” LA board members ultimately passed the phone ban proposal, but two members voted against it. Someone said The New York Times he voted no because teachers already have a hard time enforcing existing restrictions. He added that during emergencies like school shootings, parents should contact their children. And it’s dark.
Bilbo Pass.
The march of big-budget Tolkien fantasy hits games again. Another game, ignoring Gollum’s failings, Sweet tales, Bagginses, lembas bread, and offers a gentler, lower-cost way to play in Gandalf’s universe. Don’t expect any fighting, but if you’re looking for a gentle person Animal Crossing / Stardew Valley experience, it may be in place.