Nucleating our carbon-managed future

Nucleating our carbon-managed future

If you’ve studied chemistry, you’ll know that the nucleation point describes the start of a change in physical state, such as from a solid to a liquid, or liquid to gas. Water starting to crystallize into ice nucleates where the first H2O molecules reorganize as a solid. We’re seeing a similar transformation of human society—forced…

Digging into NextEra’s decision to close Duane Arnold Energy Center

On Friday, July 27, NextEra Energy Resources issued a press release titled NextEra Energy Resources and Alliant Energy agree to shorten the term of the Duane Arnold Energy Center power purchase agreement; Alliant Energy customers to save hundreds of millions of dollars. Aside: While researching this article, I learned that the word “will” is considered…

Palisades Nuclear Plant Will Continue Operating Through 2022; Neighbors Ecstatic

Palisades Nuclear Plant Will Continue Operating Through 2022; Neighbors Ecstatic

Workers, school system administrators, neighbors, local businessmen and elected officials screamed and danced with excitement when Entergy announced that it would continue to operate the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant through 2022, when its current power purchase agreement expires. Entergy stated that it “will continue to make all necessary investments and maintain appropriate staffing, in accordance with…

One step to save nukes – stop their immediate destruction

Nuclear plants that are economically uncompetitive under current market conditions should be retained for future operations, not immediately destroyed. Some might wonder at my wording. They might accurately point out that virtually all of the 30+ commercial reactors that have been permanently shut down in the US are still standing and have not been physically…

Another U.S. Nuclear Plant [Might Have Been] Killed By Competition

Less than a week after the newest U.S. nuclear reactor entered commercial service, one of the oldest nuclear reactors in the U.S.. the Ft Calhoun Station (FCS), shut down for good. Completed in 1974 for a total cost of less than $200 million – still twice the estimated cost – the plant has had its…

Another nuclear plant will close for good on Monday

The Ft. Calhoun Station (FCS) is scheduled to shut down for good on Monday, October 24. The number of operating nuclear power reactors in the US will have been in the three digits again for a just one week. That event will be a tragic shame for the surrounding community, for a gradually growing portion…

Fighting climate change with best available tools

Today, the New York State Department of Public Service (NYSDPS) will consider a motion to establish a large-scale renewable program and a clean energy standard that will result in a price floor for wholesale electricity prices from zero or near zero emission power sources. Nuclear advocates from New York, along with supporters from around the…

Showing up and speaking up for Diablo Canyon and nuclear energy in California

The California State Lands Commission meeting on June 28, 2016 included a number of articulate, knowledgable, rational and emotional talks by people who took time to attend the meeting and to deliver their public comments. Some had carefully prepared remarks, others spoke directly from their hearts. Some had a prop or a graph, others relied…

PG&E Agreed To Kill Diablo Canyon In Self-Protecting Deal

PG&E Agreed To Kill Diablo Canyon In Self-Protecting Deal

The first indication I had of the agreement to destroy Diablo Canyon in the prime of its life came from a press release issued by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). It stated that they had signed a deal with PG&E, IBEW local 1245, the Coalition of California Utility Employees, Friends of the Earth, Environment…

CGNP objections to PG&E, NRDC, FOE and A4NR plan for Diablo Canyon

CGNP’S Summary Objections to PG&E’s Plan to Close DCPP in 2025 1. PG&E’s current plan to replace DCPP’s annual power production is to expand the four following approaches to maintain its carbon emissions at the current level. A. Increase the use of solar power. B. Increase the use of wind power. C. Increase the use…

How Can We Halt The Reverse Great Bandwagon In Nuclear?

A couple of weeks ago, Exelon announced that it was going to begin taking action to close the Clinton and Quad Cities nuclear power stations. According to the company, those stations have lost a combined total of $800 million during the past seven years. Both facilities are well run and reliable, and their ongoing operating…