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01 / 05
Nuclear Safety Rules Rewritten to Accelerate Development

NPR | Energy Production

Nuclear Safety Rules Rewritten to Accelerate Development

“The Department of Energy has made public a set of new rules that slash environmental and security requirements for experimental nuclear reactors.

Last month, NPR reported on the existence of the rules, which were quietly rewritten to accelerate development of a new generation of nuclear reactor designs.

The rule changes came about after President Trump signed an executive order calling for three or more of the experimental reactors to come online by July 4 of this year — an incredibly tight deadline in the world of nuclear power. The order led to the creation of a new Reactor Pilot Program at the Department of Energy.”

From NPR.

The Guardian | Health Systems

First Malaria Drug for Babies Is Approved in Major Milestone

“The first malaria treatment for babies has been approved by the World Health Organization, opening the door to widespread use around the globe.

In parts of Africa, up to 18% of children under six months will be infected with malaria, but there has historically been no safe treatment for the smallest of them. There were 610,000 deaths from malaria in 2024, about three quarters of which were under-fives in Africa…

Medical leaders hope that Coartem Baby, which can be used to treat infants as small as 2kg (4.4lb), will fill the treatment gap. The drug comes as sweet cherry-flavoured tablets that can be dissolved into liquids, including breast milk…

Coartem Baby now has WHO prequalification, which indicates it meets international standards of quality, safety and efficacy, and will enable public-sector procurement for many countries with high rates of malaria, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.”

From The Guardian.

POWER magazine | Energy Production

NRC Unveils New Path for High-Volume Microreactor Licensing

“The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has proposed a sweeping new licensing framework designed to push microreactors out of the lab and onto the grid at unprecedented speed. The proposed rule, called Part 57, is paired with a broader agency overhaul that earlier this year created the Office of Advanced Reactors (OAR), headed by longtime NRC official Jeremy S. Bowen. Together, the two moves represent the most significant shift in U.S. nuclear regulation in a generation—a direct response to White House Executive Order 14300 (Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission) and the bipartisan Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act.

Announced April 24, the proposed Part 57 rule creates a streamlined, risk-informed pathway for licensing microreactors and other reactors with comparable risk profiles. The NRC and industry estimate it will save between $3.76 billion and $11.84 billion, depending on discount rate, largely by ‘reducing exemption requests and streamlining reviews.’ Construction permit and operating license timelines could shrink to six months to a year.”

From POWER magazine.

Associated Press | Trade

India and New Zealand Sign a Free Trade Agreement

“India and New Zealand on Monday signed a free trade agreement to deepen economic ties and expand market access, as both countries navigate mounting global trade disruptions.

The deal comes as New Delhi moves to diversify export markets to offset the impact of steep tariffs imposed by the United States and instability in shipping and energy routes due to the Iran war. For New Zealand, the agreement is part of a broader push to reduce reliance on China, its largest trading partner.

The agreement was signed in New Delhi by India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and visiting New Zealand Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay.

Negotiated over nine months and agreed in December, the deal will cut or eliminate tariffs on 95% of New Zealand’s exports to India, while making all Indian exports to New Zealand duty-free. Wellington has also committed to invest $20 billion in India over the next 15 years.”

From Associated Press.

Reuters | Motor Vehicles

California Allows Manufacturers to Deploy Heavy Autonomous Vehicles

“The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) on Tuesday adopted new regulations for autonomous vehicles, ​allowing manufacturers to test and deploy heavy-duty ‌driverless vehicle technology on the state’s roads…

Here are a few ⁠details:

  • The move lifts the ban on operating ​autonomous vehicles weighing over 10,001 pounds (4,536.4 kg), opening ​California to autonomous freight operations.
  • However, vehicles will still be required to stop at patrol stations and comply with state ​and federal commercial motor vehicle rules.
  • Medium-duty autonomous ​vehicles up to 14,001 pounds will be allowed to ‌be ⁠operated by public agencies and universities.
  • In 2023, California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill to prevent heavy-duty driverless trucks from operating in the state.
  • The DMV ​had since ​been working ⁠toward developing a regulatory framework to lift that restriction.
  • The new rules ​require manufacturers to begin with testing using ​a ⁠safety driver and progress to driverless testing before applying for commercial deployment.
  • Manufacturers must complete 50,000 miles (80,467.2 ⁠km) ​for light-duty vehicles and 500,000 ​miles for heavy-duty vehicles for testing at each phase.”

From Reuters.