Archive for August, 2009
Udall, McCain are right: U.S. needs to go nuclear
Denver Post
August 26, 2009
Nuclear power emits zero greenhouse gases… The energy potential in nuclear fuel is astonishingly huge when compared to other renewable forms of energy. While we wait for advancements in wind and solar that will make them viable for large-scale use, nuclear energy would help accelerate our transition from a carbon- based grid.
Uranium, for example, could power one person’s electrical needs for a lifetime [read more]
We must not lose sight of new nuclear plant’s benefits
Baltimore Sun
By Donald C. Fry, president and CEO of the Greater Baltimore Committee
August 23, 2009
Maryland sorely needs the planned new 1,600 megawatt nuclear plant. Among other things, it would, by itself, increase Maryland’s existing in-state electricity generating capacity by 12 percent – something that is needed in a state that currently imports more than 25 percent of its power.
The new $8-10 billion plant would [read more]
Nuclear vs. conservation is wrong argument
San Antonio Express News
By Robert Rivard, editor of the Express-News
August 23, 2009
As the debate continues over CPS Energy’s proposal to invest $5.2 billion in the future expansion of the South Texas Project nuclear plant, it’s a good time to also consider conservation and other smart ways to reduce demand…
It’s really not an either-or proposition. In fact, the more city officials and CPS increase their [read more]
Nuclear power heating up
Chattanooga Times Free Press
August 23, 2009
Jessie Blair gets up every weekday at 4 a.m. to travel 120 miles to school in Chattanooga. The 24-year-old Atlanta student doesn’t usually get home until 7:30 p.m., but he says he couldn’t be happier. As one of the first welding students in Westinghouse’s new Chattanooga training facility, Mr. Blair sees a bright future working in the nuclear power industry.
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Dr. [read more]
Nuclear energy could answer the coming energy crisis
St. Louis Post Dispatch
By William Briggs, retired engineer from Town and Country
August 19, 2009
Finding ways to improve the performance of nuclear plants is a prime focus of engineers and technicians at the nation’s nuclear plants as utilities gear up to build new reactors in the United States to meet projected growth in the need for electricity. Using a healthy mix of solar, wind, nuclear power [read more]
Why nuclear isn’t a dirty word
San Antonio Express News
By Robert Rivard, editor of the Express-News
August 16, 2009
For the anti-STP forces, it’s fine to print “no rate hikes” on T-shirts handed out to Energia Mia members, but it’s a misleading message at best. The cost of water and electricity is going up in the years ahead, no matter how many sources we develop or how much we conserve.
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We take [read more]
Editorial: So where’s the nuclear power?
Dallas Morning News
August 7, 2009
Nuclear power plants don’t emit carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases… [and] the NIMBY factor has greatly diminished, according to research polls.
Yet the U.S. has not built a new reactor in about 30 years, which is why only about 20 percent of the nation’s electricity comes from the 104 nuclear power plants still in operation.
Those plants churn out about 75 percent [read more]
Why Nuclear Power Is Part of Our Future
Wall Street Journal
By Jim Rogers
August 5, 2009
While the U.S. may be trailing on renewable energy and storage technology, we are still the world’s largest operator of commercial nuclear power… Additionally, the U.S. remains a leader in researching and developing nuclear technologies. Our national labs and private sector know-how provide the resources and the scientific foundation for the U.S. to compete as a global leader in [read more]
U.S. needs 45 more nuclear reactors by 2030: study
Reuters
By Bernie Woodall
August 3, 2009
In order to meet lofty climate goals, the U.S. power industry should by 2030 build 45 more nuclear power reactors, cleaner coal power plants, and cut electricity consumption 8 percent, a power industry study issued on Monday showed.
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“Deployment of the full portfolio could result in an 80 percent increase in the real wholesale cost of electricity by 2050 relative to [read more]
California should revive nuclear energy option
Sacramento Bee
By Christine Todd Whitman
August 3, 2009
For the first time in more than 30 years, a majority of California’s registered voters approve of building new reactors in the state, according to a Field Poll conducted last year.
That majority knows that no other large-scale base electricity source is doing as much to rid our atmosphere of harmful pollutants. Nuclear power accounts for nearly 75 percent [read more]