With our recent multiple nuclear fuel storage contract announcements in Nebraska, New York, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, this is a good opportunity to provide an inside look at AREVA TN’s positive impact on nuclear energy safety, manufacturing and job growth in the U.S.

For 50 years, AREVA TN has been a leader in the U.S. industry for safe and secure used nuclear fuel management.

Based on our commitment to maximize regional fabrication and localize materials sourcing, we’ve built a strong and diverse national supply chain to support our customers’ projects.

AREVA TN uses two U.S. fabricators—one in North Carolina and one in Idaho—to build our advanced technology NUHOMS® canisters. And, we proudly tap regional U.S. steel suppliers for the materials. Together the two U.S. facilities will produce 50 “Made in America” canisters a year, more than 60% of our annual global production.

But our used nuclear fuel management business not only drives American manufacturing, we also intentionally solicit and employ regional labor for each of our customer projects. For example, AREVA TN hires local union labor for our pool to pad loading operations at customer sites, employing approximately 15 union workers per campaign. We also use local union labor to cast and construct our innovative above-ground concrete horizontal storage module system to safely and securely store the canisters. During these projects, the influx of workers and material purchases provides a significant economic boost to the local community. For example, a loading campaign at a Pennsylvania nuclear energy facility will hire local union workers and bring several million dollars into the regional economy.

As a U.S. leader in safe used fuel management, we are proud to serve our customers with the most advanced technology, intentionally sourced from regional suppliers, and expertly installed with local labor. The continued growth of our AREVA TN business is another way that the more than 4,600 employees of AREVA Inc. North America advance our nation’s clean energy vision.

By Laura Clise, Director External Communications, AREVA Inc.

History was made this past Wednesday as Department of Energy Director Dot Harris hosted leaders from government, industry, education, and community organizations at the first-ever White House Forum on Minorities in Energy.  With presentations and dialogue, participants explored the critical role energy plays in U.S. economic prosperity, national security, and environmental sustainability. But of significant historical note was the Forum’s focus on and acknowledgement of the important role minority communities must perform as we work across sectors and communities to advance American economic competitiveness and innovation leadership.

Building off of the launch of the Minorities in Energy initiative in September, the White House Forum brought additional stakeholders together around the shared commitment to do more regarding how minority communities can drive success in what Deputy Secretary Poneman called “a critical-mission space.” Key points included challenges and opportunities for the Obama Administration’s commitment to America’s leadership in accelerating the global energy transformation, the importance of energy and infrastructure resilience to withstand impacts of climate change and severe weather, and working across sectors to effectively tap the full capabilities of America’s diverse talent pool.

Energy Secretary Moniz introduced the Ambassadors of the Minorities in Energy initiative, including AREVA Inc. CEO Michael Rencheck, and applauded them for their leadership and advocacy. These twenty leaders from the public, private, and civic sectors will play a key role in championing the initiative’s mission and helping effectively and proactively engage minority communities in support of the energy sector.

The Forum also featured three panel sessions on the topics of STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) and workforce development, economic development, and climate change. Since minority communities are often disproportionately impacted by energy issues and climate change, the Minorities in Energy initiative seeks to raise energy and climate change awareness and engagement among minority populations.

These are also important topics for AREVA, and guide our commitments in hiring a diverse workforce (including veterans), strengthening regional economies with steady and safe energy generation, engaging with small and minority-owned business suppliers, and providing our utility customers with a competitive portfolio of advanced clean energy technologies.

We proudly support the vision articulated by the Minorities in Energy initiative, and agree that stakeholders must work together to ensure minority communities both benefit from and engage in leading the advancement of U.S. energy technology and infrastructure.

By Mike Rencheck, CEO, AREVA Inc. North America

On Monday, among the parades, waving flags and memorial services that commemorate Veterans Day, it is important to remember that the members of our military often come home and face a new challenge— civilian life. Fortunately, there are ways that we, as residents and members of the business community, can show our gratitude to these American heroes. We can hire veterans.

At AREVA, a nuclear energy supplier headquartered in Charlotte, we are dedicated to hiring military veterans. In fact, about 10 percent of our Lynchburg-based workforce of almost 2,000 people is comprised of veterans and we have similar hiring practices in Charlotte, Richland, Wash., and Columbia, Md., our other larger locations. We’ve found that the job skill parallels between the military and the civilian energy industry allow veterans to translate their experience into a rewarding career with great opportunities for advancement. Our military veterans have the training and leadership skills necessary to tackle the needs of a society with a growing demand for energy.

Across the United States, nuclear and other clean energy is an important part of our lives. Nationwide, nuclear energy accounts for about 20 percent of the electricity that powers every computer, electric car and light bulb. This clean, safe and reliable energy depends on a strong and talented workforce, and we need to ensure that we are developing and attracting top talent, particularly as new nuclear plants are built and we continue to service our existing fleet. Nuclear energy already employs thousands of Americans in well-paid careers. Careers in business, communications, human resources, legal, engineering, information systems and building trades, just to name a few.

At AREVA, we have been very successful in our efforts to recruit military veterans, who represent a growing part of our team across the country. In fact, military veterans comprise nearly 10 percent of our U.S. workforce. To encourage and continue this trend, we support the Troops to Energy program, as well as many other military recruiting events, and even launched a webpage in 2012 specifically dedicated to opportunities for veterans. These valuable resources help retiring military personnel find careers that are a good fit for them.

As we celebrate this Veterans Day, I believe we should honor our veterans by helping them in their transition to successful careers in their civilian lives. At AREVA we pledge to thank those who have protected our great nation year-round by hiring veterans whenever possible.

See the original op-ed in the News & Advance.

By Jarret Adams, VP of Communications, AREVA Resources

What would happen if everything you knew about nuclear energy was wrong? This is the question raised by environmentalists interviewed in the blockbuster documentary hit Pandora’s Promise, which airs tonight on CNN at 9 p.m. eastern time (8 p.m. central time).

The groundbreaking film by Academy Award-nominated director Robert Stone follows the path of several leading environmentalists as their research convinces them to shift from opposing to supporting nuclear energy. In the film, environmentalists Stuart Brand, Gwyneth Cravens, Mark Lynas, Michael Shellenberger, and other experts discuss the important role that nuclear energy plays in combating climate change.

Stone has been making the talk show rounds in advance of tonight’s broadcast premiere, debating Robert Kennedy Jr. on the Piers Morgan show and also Van Jones from the program “Crossfire.” There is even a good conversation with Stone in the Huffington Post. There are also good discussions under way at NEI’s Nuclear Notes and CNA’s TalkNuclear.

As the world leader in nuclear energy, it’s no surprise that AREVA’s technologies and facilities figure prominently in the film. In the summer of 2011, Stone and cinematographer Howard Shack filmed the Chalon-St. Marcel equipment fabrication facility, La Hague fuel recycling plant, the Flamanville EPR™ reactor construction site, and other locations in France.

Even if you are skeptical about nuclear energy, you owe it to yourself to consider this film’s point of view. According to the Sundance Film Festival where the film debuted in January: “Whatever your stance, Stone’s compelling film opens Pandora’s Box and promises to change the conversation for years to come.”

By Tom Franch, Senior Vice President, AREVA Inc. North America

It is no secret that the Southeast is one of the fastest-growing areas in the United States. The Southeast’s GDP was $3.45 trillion in 2012, $600 billion more than the Pacific and Mid-Atlantic regions. Further, population rise in the South has maintained a brisk pace for decades. Charlotte and Raleigh in particular are recognized as economically dynamic, culturally vibrant cities, and boast an unmatched quality of life.

The important links between quality of life, economic growth and energy consumption are not secret. In order for the Carolinas to maintain economic progress, we need to ensure the production of a stable and robust electricity supply. This requires reliable and inexpensive power from a balanced and diverse generation portfolio that includes the vital contribution of nuclear power.

Nuclear power provides approximately 35 percent of North Carolina’s electricity generation. This is clean, safe, affordable and reliable electricity that serves as the stable energy foundation for economic growth in the state. Charlotte has become a hub of the nuclear industry and hosts a dynamic energy cluster that benefits from access to world-class educational institutions and a supportive infrastructure.

Earlier this week, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) held a public meeting in Charlotte to discuss a proposed rule that would serve as the basis for the commission’s confidence that used nuclear fuel can and will be safely stored after generating electric power. The commission has taken a serious and thorough approach to examining the potential environmental impacts of used nuclear fuel storage, and the public deserves this regulatory diligence.

The technical aspects for safe and effective used nuclear fuel management are well understood. From our operating experience and technical expertise, we know in astounding detail the characteristics of used nuclear fuel, and how to design systems and protections to assure proper containment and safeguards. This is supported by our proven track record of safe, secure onsite storage in used fuel pools and in dry storage, both in the United States and abroad, over many decades. Our challenge is to leverage these technological and engineering capabilities to support a sustainable policy path that includes ultimate disposition of material in a geologic repository.

This particular rule is important because a clear determination from the NRC of their confidence in the safe management of used nuclear fuel will allow the commission to resume issuing licenses and license renewals for the operation of nuclear plants and safe, onsite storage of used nuclear fuel. This will assure the continued operation and growth of nuclear electricity generation in the Southeast and power the region’s economic growth.

Citizens of North Carolina should be comfortable supporting the NRC’s conclusion that used nuclear fuel can be stored safely and they deserve timely completion of the rulemaking process. Charlotte’s leadership in nuclear power and the energy industry is the foundation for economic growth in the Carolinas. Throughout the Southeast and all of North America, we are moving forward with confidence toward a clean, safe and affordable energy future.

When you’re passionate about something called into question, you show up and speak out to ensure your opinion is heard. Sixty AREVA employees did just that yesterday evening as part of the 200 attendees at the NRC “Waste Confidence” public meeting in Charlotte, NC.

On behalf of their fellow red-shirted employees, seven AREVA employees stepped to the microphone to speak about their personal commitment to safe nuclear energy operations, their high skill level honed from continuous training, and their confidence in the advanced technologies that currently assure safe used nuclear fuel management in the United States. Each person spoke from the heart, and gave an expert opinion from years of personal experience working inside the U.S. nuclear energy industry.

Vic Fregonese, responsible for AREVA’s Safety and Quality in the U.S. Region, said, “I have worked in the U.S. Nuclear Power Industry for more than 30 years.  I have worked in both the utility and supplier sectors of this business.  During that time I have witnessed our industry continue to be a safe, secure, and environmentally sound source of electricity supply to our nation.  Nuclear energy provides an emissions-free, domestic source of base load electricity generation, and creates thousands of jobs for our citizens … Safety has been, and is, our highest priority.”

Mechanical engineer Frank Barilla focused his comments on used nuclear fuel, saying it “has been stored safely for decades.  The technology is mature and well understood. Other countries such as France, Finland, and Sweden have solved this problem, and are putting geological repositories into place.”

NAYGN chapter officer and chemical engineer Matt Cagnetta stated, “I assert that this country cannot sustain its energy needs, reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by any significant factor, and continue to secure the low cost of electricity that consumers and industries enjoy without drawing from nuclear power. The many available facts and my personal experience with respect to nuclear design, licensing, maintenance, research and development, and advocacy bolster this conclusion.”

AREVA employees believe nuclear energy should serve as the solid foundation for building America’s clean energy portfolio. We have nearly 50 years’ experience in the U.S. safely removing, transporting and storing used nuclear fuel. We understand and advance the robust technology and processes needed to safely manage this unique material.

And it is from this experienced perspective that we support with confidence the proven and safe management of used nuclear fuel in the United States. The technological side of the question has been demonstrated as capable over decades of operations, and we support the NRC in its timely resolution of Waste Confidence rulemaking.

By Tom Franch, SVP, Reactors & Services, AREVA Inc. North America

The New York Times recently ran an article questioning the viability of nuclear plants in today’s changing electricity market, and stating that cheap natural gas is driving down energy costs and leading to closures of operating U.S. nuclear energy facilities.

It is true that electricity demand is down. It hasn’t recovered anywhere close to pre-recession levels, and shale gas is now capping market prices. Additionally, about 20 to 30 gigawatts of coal are closing down. And, in unregulated power markets, you don’t see a whole lot of plants being built. Adding to this uncertainty on the grid are the introduction of intermittent output renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, to meet the increasing number of states with Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) programs.

Unfortunately, the article fails to provide the rest of the story: As the largest provider of clean air electricity in the U.S. energy mix, American nuclear power plants can provide Flexible Operations in support of renewable energy to feed the grid.

Most U.S. nuclear reactors currently operate at full power as Base Load Energy. However, U.S. nuclear reactor designs can also vary electricity output, meaning that they can reduce/increase power daily or sustain extended low-power operation to allow room on the grid for intermittent renewable energy sources. “Flexible Operations”, or better known in the industry as load-following, makes these nuclear assets a valuable and useful tool in support of Grid Operations, while keeping greenhouse gas emissions low.

AREVA has more than 40 years of experience in design, engineering and services for flexible reactor operations, and we are leveraging this expertise for the U.S. nuclear industry. Since the 1970s, AREVA-designed nuclear reactors have proven their performance in flexible operations. We have also commissioned and serviced flexible operation plants in both Germany and France.

Now, we are speaking with U.S. institutions and several visionary utilities to study how best to implement flexible operations for American nuclear facilities. Helping our customers flexibly operate their generation assets is a viable strategy to keep their nuclear energy facilities supporting grid demands, avoiding greenhouse gas emissions, and adding future plant value by supporting the expected growth of renewable energy through RPS programs.

As the article does, ignoring flexible operations dismisses the strategic, long-term planning of utilities and emphasizes the short-term view of nuclear energy opponents. I agree with the visionary U.S. utilities: Clean air nuclear energy’s significant value to our country includes the strategic ongoing investments in the continued safe and economic operations of existing nuclear energy facilities.

At AREVA our mission is to help our customers maintain and enhance their valuable nuclear energy assets for today’s and tomorrow’s electricity grid, ensure long-term reliability, and deliver environmental and economic sustainability. Together with our customers, we will ensure that utilities’ options for competitive nuclear energy operations continue providing on-demand electricity for a strong, diverse, reliable American clean air energy portfolio. Contact Ben Grambau to discuss how your facility can benefit from flexible operations.

At AREVA, we take a lot of pride in the work we do. Because we make safety, quality, performance, and delivery our top priorities, we have one of the best outage excellence records in the U.S. nuclear energy industry.

So we’re pleased that Thomas Overton of Power Magazine has recognized the URS/AREVA SGT team with Entergy in replacing the steam generators at the Waterford 3 Steam Electric Station in Killona, Louisiana, by naming it one of their Top Plants for November 2013.

As Power notes, replacing a steam generator in a nuclear power plant is one of the “most challenging” tasks for a nuclear power plant … if done poorly, the process could result in extended outages or impact continued plant operations. And the generator being replaced at Waterford 3 was one of the most massive SGT had ever moved: 65 feet long and weighing 720 tons, which meant custom rigging and brilliant engineering to make a safe, timely, high-precision operation.

Despite some major challenges—including delivery delays, modifications to the plan, and even Hurricane Isaac—the expert integrated team replaced the steam generator in just 93 days, while putting together a stellar safety record that received numerous awards from the National Safety Council.

The reason for this success? Overton chalks it up to “sterling teamwork and project management” and a focus on safety from the very beginnings of the project.

That’s the kind of excellence we bring to every project we work on—outage excellence that means a better safety record, innovative technologies, and proven processes to help our customers meet their outage goals and continue safely generating clean, reliable, and dependable nuclear power.

We’re proud that, yet again, our record of excellence has delivered for a valued customer. Read more about the project in the original article.

Forty Delta High School students recently visited the AREVA Richland Fuel Manufacturing Facility to learn about the role of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education in supporting the energy workforce of tomorrow.

During a day trip to the AREVA Richland facility, students had an in-depth view of local operations that support the global nuclear industry, including fuel engineering, manufacturing, and services. Students also talked with members of AREVA’s North American Young Generation in Nuclear (NAYGN) group to learn about energy and engineering career paths.

“These students are the future STEM workforce, and we enjoyed showing them what we do at the AREVA Richland Fuel Manufacturing Facility,” said Dominique Grandemange, Richland site manager. “It is well known that the nuclear industry is facing a challenge due to its aging workforce, and our site is no exception to this situation. This visit was an excellent opportunity to spark students’ interests in STEM careers and continue to develop our partnership with local schools such as Delta.”

By Natalie Martin-Smith

There was plenty of enthusiasm at the recent “Careers in Energy” event hosted by AREVA Inc. North America and the Texas A&M University nuclear engineering department. The crowd of Aggie Nukes and engineers at the event included students from the TAMU American Nuclear Society chapter and the Society of Mexican American Engineers & Scientists (MAES).

Two Aggies also won tickets to watch AREVA-sponsored IndyCar race car driver Simona De Silvestro pilot the #78 Nuclear Clean Air Energy race car to a podium finish in the Houston Grand Prix —but more on that in a moment.

First, “Careers in Energy” presenters delivered career guidance and resources on a number of topics:

• Did you know—Of the 4 million ninth-grade students enrolled in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) courses, only 4.2% will graduate college with a STEM degree? AREVA’s Director of Talent Acquisition Natalie Martin-Smith discussed STEM statistics, the value of hiring a diverse workforce, and the commitment from AREVA to support STEM education. Students were also asked to rise to the challenge and help promote STEM education to the next generation of students.
• AREVA’s University Relations Manager Nikki Harris talked to students about AREVA’s intern and early career programs
• NA-YGN AREVA Charlotte Chapter president and TAMU alumni Adam Howell talked about the importance of the North American Young Generation in Nuclear’s (NA-YGN) role in STEM and “a day in the life” moving from the big state of Texas to Charlotte, N.C.
• AREVA engineer Jonny Abendano, a TAMU MAES member and TAMU alumni, talked about the AREVA experience and gave students advice on interviewing and transitioning from being a TAMU student in College Station to becoming an AREVA employee in Charlotte.
• AREVA Operational Excellence intern Carter Shields fired up the students about AREVA’s support and awards program for innovation and incubator projects.

Now, back to the race …

During the “Careers in Energy” event, AREVA drew names for two Aggies and their guests to attend the Houston Grand Prix—and the winners were:

• Suhaeb Abdulsattav, nuclear engineering student
• Matthew Kappes, nuclear engineering student
• Connie Rodriguez, civil structural engineering student (MAES)
• Eliash Trejo, nuclear engineering student (MAES)

These four lucky winners joined TAMU ANS Student President Lance Merchant and VP Katie Rochelle for an incredible day at the Houston racetrack. They met AREVA-sponsored IndyCar driver Simona De Silvestro and her team, toured the KV Racing Technology garage, learned how the high-performance engineering race team promotes STEM education and careers, and better understood the importance of clean air nuclear energy.

According to the Aggie Nukes, it was a good thing they were at the race, since Simona’s historic second-place finish was solely due to good ole Aggie luck and “strength in numbers.”