| Submit your comments on this article |
| -Short Attention Span Theater- |
| More American Nuclear Power Plants in the Works? |
| 2003-07-23 |
| Edited for brevity. Hat tip: Policy Pete Companies in Illinois, Louisiana and Virginia are preparing to file for permits to build the nation’s first new nuclear power plant since the 1970s. The partial meltdown at Three Mile Island in 1979 halted the industry from ordering new plants. The Chicago Tribune reported Sunday, however, that Exelon Corp., co-owner of a Clinton, Ill., plant, New Orleans-based Entergy and Richmond, Va.-based Dominion Resources are expected to apply this fall for early site permits to reserve spots for the next generation of nuclear reactors. Central Illinois could end up with two nuclear plants. Its first reactor drew opposition in the 1970s, but the Tribune reported that many residents have learned to live with the plant. The utilities seem to be taking advantage of a more nuclear friendly climate as natural gas prices bounce higher and concerns grow over environmental effects of fossil fuels. ’Bout damn time. Unfortunately, it will take several years for any new plants to be built and come online, but the sooner we start the better. The howling this winter over natural gas prices should be particularly spectacular. |
| Posted by:Dar |
| #5 I worked in the NP industry for a while. Our basic problem in this country is that we built a 103 plants with a 104 different designs. Regulatory BS is part of the problem, but other part was the lack of any standard design and the idea that if 200 MW plant could built, then a 800 MW would just be four times as big. Wrong. |
| Posted by: Douglas De Bono 2003-7-24 3:53:19 PM |
| #4 My sources, who work in a nuclear power facility near where I live, say that cuch of the red tape, supposedly, HAS been cut, and the loonies (naturally) howled murder. However, no nuclear plant has been built using the new regulations, which tries to encourage the use of standardized designs, which is what the French use to great effect. Several are available already. The big concern is that, due to environmental concerns, the majority of new power plants built run on natural gas. this has caused a serious drop in Gas supplies: A drop so big, even Alan Greenspan audibly worried about it. |
| Posted by: Ptah 2003-7-24 9:27:38 AM |
| #3 I'm afraid Michael is right. Construction is unlikely unless Congress cuts the regulatory red tape, and provides for protection from frivolous lawsuits. And that won't happen until the average citizen faces a choice between nuclear power or sitting in a cold, dark room. |
| Posted by: PBMcL 2003-7-23 7:31:00 PM |
| #2 Alas, they most probably will never be built. The unthinking looneys will tie it up in the courts until those companies decide the game is no longer worth the candle and give up. |
| Posted by: Michael 2003-7-23 4:24:37 PM |
| #1 At least there's a new (albeit unfinished as of yet) respository for the waste at Yucca Mtn, NV. I know a lot of Nevadans (my family's from there) are unhappy about getting this gem, but really, it did make the best sense. |
| Posted by: Frank G 2003-7-23 4:04:10 PM |