More trouble at Vogtle

June 19, 2023 https://beyondnuclear.org/more-trouble-at-vogtle/

The nuclear drumbeaters ignore stories like this latest setback out of Georgia because the inconvenient truth of nuclear power is that it is NOT reliable, is far too slow and expensive and of course comes with a myriad of safety problems and no solution to the radioactive waste it generates.

The only US flagship for new reactors is the Vogtle 3 and 4 project in Georgia, which continues to stutter and stumble as it tries to bring two AP 1000 reactors to life, already heralded as a “milestone” with neither reactor yet on line.

Vogtle 3 has already had several setbacks delaying its commercial operation. The most recent is a problem in the hydrogen system that is used to cool its main electrical generator, delaying operations until July (barring other problems that could still arise.)

The twin reactor project is already 16 years in the making and now at least $20 billion over budget. Despite all this and the nuclear poster child for risk that is the 6-reactor Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, embroiled in a war, the pro-nuclear propaganda machine rolls blindly on.

https://www.wabe.org/georgia-power-says-vogtle-nuclear-reactor-delayed-another-month-by-turbine-problem/

“……………………………………In Georgia, almost every electric customer will pay for Vogtle. Georgia Power’s 2.7 million customers are already paying part of the financing cost and elected public service commissioners have approved a monthly rate increase of $3.78 a month for residential customers as soon as the third unit begins generating power.

A July operation date means that increase would hit bills in August, two months after residential customers see a $16-a-month increase to pay for higher fuel costs. Georgia Power also raised rates by 2.5% in January after commissioners approved a separate three-year rate plan. Increases of 4.5% will follow in 2024 and 2025 under that plan.

Commissioners will decide later who pays for the remainder of the costs of Vogtle, including the fourth reactor.

June 20, 2023 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, USA

1 Comment »

Despite the fact that no new nuclear reactor projects have been ordered or proposed other then the SMR, Small Modular Reactors in the USA, nuclear power is still too expensive, too dangerous, too slow, and totally unnecessary for our energy needs. Go to http://thesolutionsproject.org/ for the detailed plans for all 50 states from renewable energy with just wind, solar, hydroelectric and geothermal energy. Despite the propaganda from the nuclear and for profit, centralize electric power utilities, “we will not starve and freeze in the dark,” nor “wreck our economy in the process.” We have the technology and the natural resources to do so now. All we lack is the politcal will to do so, because the forces that be have bought the votes of our elected leaders from both parties in the Congress and in our state legislatures, through their anonymous, unlimited PAC campaign donations.

Comment by paulrodenlearning | June 20, 2023 | Reply