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On Entergy & Exelon retreat from new builds
The environmental movement is definitely split along fault lines that divide at least three ways relative to nuclear energy. The first group includes thought and opinion leaders who previously opposed nuclear energy, but now see it as necessary and as a feasible path to address reduction of CO2 emissions. The second group opposes nuclear energy because they believe CO2 emissions are best reduced, and more quickly, with solar, wind, and natural gas plants. The third group oppose nuclear energy because of ideological reasons, e.g., it is part of the industrial order of the world and we're better off going back to nature or off the grid, etc. Some in the third group are OK with solar and wind energy as being part of the solution.
Most opposition to nuclear energy willfully ignores the issue of baseload demand from a growing world population especially in countries like India and China. And Al Gore's famous flip remark that reactors only come in one size - large -has been overtaken by the development of a range of small reactor designs. They will eventually attain market share on the grid and in distributed power applications.
You can't stop people from wanting the live off the grid. The concern I have is that some of them want to take the rest of the world along for the ride.
On President Obama calls for a price on carbon. Will it work?
It is important to separate fossil fuels used for transportation from coal and natural gas used to generate electricity. For decades the power industry has successfully put the monkey on cars and trucks when it comes to pollution abatement burdens. Carbon taxes belong first and foremost on coal fired plants, which emit the most CO2, so that there will be a market shift to carbon emission free nuclear energy.
Putting carbon taxes on gasoline just drives the middle class into poverty.
On Failure to pass climate bill will benefit natural gas
I agree with Rod that an open market place on carbon prices will introduce an element of unpredictabiliy for energy projects. It will also produce new forms of fraud.On Failure to pass climate bill will benefit natural gas
Well it is true that Rod Adams and I are friends, but we have been known to have different views on things. My view is that a price on carbon, by whatever mechanism, is a tax, and that for it to produce a shift in investment patterns, must not confiscate the money needed to make that shift.
In other words, utilities ought to be able to get substantial credits for every dollar they invest in cabon emisson free energy generation, or energy conservation, relative to the carbon tax. That's a technology neutral view. It is also somewhat idealistic since once you open the door, every special interest will walk through it. Still, every time we reduce the number of tons of CO2 spewed into the atmosphere that's progress.
On Giant Plumes of Oil Forming Under the Gulf
It is a disappointment that Big Gav chooses to simply repost a NYT news article rather than invest his own thoughts in the blog post.On Will the new U.K. government support nuclear energy?
Probably not. Huhne is trying to slow things down with a perception the Liberals will throw up roadblocks even if the political deal is that they won't. The question is whether there is more to the current smoke and mirrors than meets the eye. The issue of "subsidy" might be expanded to be used to oppose a carbon tax. Plus, utility costs are high in the UK by U.S. standards. A carbon tax might fail on cost factors alone.On It's The End of the World (As We Know It)
I don't subscribe to the "end of the world" arias sung in the blog post. It sounds like we're all gonna die in 2012 because the Mayans said so. If they were so smart, why aren't they still here and a dominant civilization in Central America?On China on the Path towards Putting a Price on Carbon
How would this work? China runs the country's economy. Wouldn't this be more of a budget sleight of hand, moving money from one account to another, than a tax?On New reactor designs making progress
A lot of people I've talked to in the nuclear industry share your skepticism about the TWR and for the reasons cited in your comment. Gates is a smart guy, but he know software not hardware. Intellectual Ventures, which is managing TerraPower, has hired some very smart nuclear engineers and a top notch team leader. So we have to see how far they get before they either overcome the technical hurdles or change direction.
With regard to Hyperion, the company CEO said last November the reason they changed the fuel type is to speed up regulatory review and reactor design certification. It isn't clear how soon Hyperion will pursue U.S. review. The company has announced its first manufacturing plant will be in the U.K.
On Back to basics… climate legislation principles matter
Climate legislation is being sidelined because Nevada Sen. Harry Reid, who's re-lection prospects are in doubt, tried to change the Senate legislative calendar to appeal to Hispanic voters in his state with a rush to immigration reform. No doubt Reid's constituants will be interested in his efforts on their behalf.
Reid acted exactly according to prevailing political norms, which is to put self-interest ahead of the nation, indeed, the world. Is it too much to ask that elected officials actually act on behalf of the common goods. Perhaps it is.
On Unfolding oil spill disaster spreads environmental damage, opposition to offshore drilling plans
Jesse,
This is a good, comprehensive wrap up of the news. I'm encouraged that Pres. Obama has decided not to proceed with expansion of off shore oil development until the facts are in on this disaster. That could take some time.
BP is in the spotlight in this accident because 11 people are missing and presumed dead. In 2005 an explosion at a Texas refinery operated by BP left 15 people dead and 170 injured.
Soon after the Texas City refinery explosion, an investigation by the Chemical Safety Board determined that BP officials had cut down on safety measures at the plant in order to reduce costs, and increas eprofits, and that this was one of the main contributing causes of the tragedy.
In 2007, the company agreed to pay the Department of Justice an additional of fine of $50 million in settlement of criminal charges arising from the explosion.
What will be the outcome this time?
On Entergy & Exelon retreat from new builds
Too complicated for me to follow except the first sentence which makes clear Mr. Gloor's opinion. Like I said - no one wants to stop you from going off the grid - just remember it is a personal choice not a societal mandate.