nuclear-news

New York is striving to implement one of the most aggressive renewable energy strategies in the nation. Yet at the same time, Gov. Cuomo wants to bail out the upstate and uneconomic FitzPatrick and Ginna reactors–which would only slow the deployment of renewables and would cost NY ratepayers billions.

Last week, we let you know about New York’s new proposal to subsidize most of the state’s existing nuclear reactors. And we promised you a more in-depth piece after we had a chance to digest the idea. So here you have it: It’s a really bad idea.

There’s a lot more to say, of course, but it’s good to start there and not lose sight of the big picture. As a reminder, here are the basics of what the state’s utility regulators are proposing: New York will establish a renewable energy standard to reach 50% renewable energy by 2030—this could be…

Most recent updates are on top, after images-intro commentary, so that routine readers will not have to scroll-down far. Time is UTC-GMT. Updates as frequently as possible. This is a continuation of: https://miningawareness.wordpress.com/2016/01/18/the-ongoing-saga-66-news-updates-tidbits-trivia/

“The number of children and grandchildren with cancer in their bones, with leukemia in their blood, or with poison in their lungs might seem statistically small to some, in comparison with natural health hazards.

But this is not a natural health hazard—and it is not a statistical issue. The loss of even one human life, or the malformation of even one baby—who may be born long after we are gone—should be of concern to us all. Our children and grandchildren are not merely statistics toward which we can be indifferent.” John Fitzgerald Kennedy, July 26th, 1963

“A time comes when silence is betrayal.” (Clergy and Laymen Concerned about Vietnam., quoted by Dr. Martin Luther…

Opinion:

¶ Why natural gas investments could spell trouble for electric utilities • Natural gas has been called a fuel to gently transition the US to a clean energy future. The Union of Concerned Scientists claims that while the fuel’s role may grow, it could result in many states becoming over-reliant on natural gas. [Utility Dive]

Natural gas plant. Image credit: Calpine

¶ A renewable energy-powered Canada could be closer than we think • University of Colorado researchers released a study saying the US could get most of its energy from wind and solar power by 2030, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 75%. Could the same be done in Canada? (Spoiler: yes) [Yahoo News Canada]

Science and Technology:

¶ Green power is cheap enough to compete with fossil fuels and will buck the trend of falling investment in oil and gas as it can offer long-term…

Sakurajima, approximately 50 km (31 mi) from Sendai Nuclear Power Station, is classified as a Decade Volcano, one of “16 volcanoes identified by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior (IAVCEI) as being worthy of particular study in light of their history of large, destructive eruptions and proximity to populated areas” Nearby Mount Unzen is also a Decade Volcano. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decade_Volcanoes

Currently the wind is blowing the ash away from Sendai Nuclear Power Station.

“Sakurajima, Volcanic Ash Fall Forecast (Scheduled)
Issued at 02:00 JST, 09 February 2016, Japan Meteorological Agency,” http://www.jma.go.jp/en/ashfall/scheduled_506.html

“analysis reveals that Kyushu Electric has underestimated the potential impacts of ash deposits on operations of the Sendai nuclear reactors following a major volcanic eruption. This could lead to loss of electrical power and cooling function for the reactors and a nuclear accident… 30 cm ash layers at the nuclear plant…

“The long-term view sends the chilling message of what the real risks and consequences are of the fossil fuel era,” said Prof Thomas Stocker, at the University of Bern, Switzerland and also part of the research team. “It will commit us to massive adaptation efforts so that for many, dislocation and migration becomes the only option.”

“The report, published in the journal Nature Climate Change, notes most research looks at the impacts of global warming by 2100 and so misses one of the biggest consequences for civilisation – the long-term melting of polar ice caps and sea-level rise.

“This is because the great ice sheets take thousand of years to react fully to higher temperatures. The researchers say this long-term view raises moral questions about the kind of environment being passed down to future generations.

“The research shows that even with climate change limited to 2C by tough emissions cuts…

World:

¶ Wind power provided almost half of Scotland’s entire energy needs last month, According to WWF Scotland. January had 22 days when the wind generated sufficient power for every home in the country. Wind turbines supplied a total of 1,125,544 MWh to the national grid. [Scotsman]

Whitelee windfarm in Eaglesham is the UK’s largest onshore windfarm. Picture: John Devlin/TSPL

¶ Labour’s London Mayor candidate Sadiq Khan outlined his ambition to ignite a clean energy revolution in the capital, as the “greenest mayor ever.” Khan’s plans were headlined by Energy for Londoners, a not-for-profit company working to bring the city clean and green energy. [edie.net]

¶ Under a new plan from the African Development Bank to scale up power in the 54 African states by 2030, the continent needs to boost investment in energy from 0.4% of GDP to 3.4% and consider scaling down subsidies for…