Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

Major Energy and Environmental News and Commentary affecting the Nuclear Industry.

Friday, August 17, 2012

A 20-Year Low in US Carbon Emissions

A 20-Year Low in US Carbon Emissions

New York Times (blog) -
Energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in the United States from January through March were the lowest of any recorded for the first quarter of the year since 1992, the federal Energy Information Administration reports. The agency attributed the decline to a ...

Is The US Carbon Emissions Drop Real 'Weight' Loss, Or Just A Fad Diet?

Huffington Post -
As any credible health professional will tell you, the only way to realize and sustain healthy weight loss over the long-term is with discipline, a balanced diet, and a consistent regiment of exercise. So what does this have to do with energy and climate?

CO2 emissions in US drop to 20-year low


PITTSBURGH (AP) — In a surprising turnaround, the amount of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere in the U.S. has fallen dramatically to its lowest level in 20 years, and government officials say the biggest reason is that cheap and plentiful ...

US carbon emissions in surprise drop

Bangkok Post -
The smoke stacks at American Electric Power's (AEP) Mountaineer coal power plant in New Haven, West Virginia in 2009. US emissions of carbon dioxide blamed for climate change fell in 2011 and have slipped to a 20-year low this year as the the world's ...

AP IMPACT: CO2 emissions in US drop to 20-year low

Atlanta Journal Constitution -
By KEVIN BEGOS. The Associated Press. PITTSBURGH — In a surprising turnaround, the amount of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere in the U.S. has fallen dramatically to its lowest level in 20 years, and government officials say the biggest ...

What's Reducing Carbon Emissions? Natural Gas.

Daily Beast -
US-Energy-Gas-Environment Workers change pipes at Consol Energy Horizontal Gas Drilling Rig exploring the Marcellus Shale outside the town of Waynesburg, PA on April 13, 2012. (MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images). One of the unsung innovations ...

CO2 emissions in US drop to 20-year low; some experts optimistic on global ...

Fox News -
FILE - in this June 25, 2012 file photo, a crew works on a drilling rig at a well site for shale based natural gas in Zelienople, Pa. In a surprising turnaround, the amount of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere in the U.S. has fallen dramatically to its ...

Abundant Natural Gas and Oil Are Putting the Kabosh on Clean Energy

Wired News (blog) -
Since the 1950s, the US has had a perverse approach to energy. In effect we have maximized demand by building bigger, hungrier cars, homes, and lifestyles and minimized supply by limiting oil drilling, coal mining, and nuclear development. And how do we ...

US carbon emissions drop to 20-year low

Sky News Australia -
The amount of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere in the US has fallen to its lowest level in 20 years as power plant operators switch from coal to natural gas. Michael Mann, director of the Earth System Science Center at Penn State University, ...

Carbon dioxide surprise sees decreased levels being released

Philadelphia Inquirer - ‎19 hours ago‎
Carbon dioxide surprise sees decreased levels being released. PITTSBURGH - In a surprising turnaround, the amount of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere in the United States has fallen dramatically, to its lowest level in 20 years, and ...

In a surprise, CO2 emissions fall to 20-year low in US

USA TODAY -
Mainly because power plants have switched from coal to natural gas, climate-changing carbon dioxide emissions hit an unexpected 20-year low earlier this year, the Associated Press reports. AP cites a "little-noticed technical report" released earlier this ...

US Carbon Emissions: 2012 Levels At 20 Year Low

Huffington Post -
... co2 Emissions Levels 20 Year Low, Us Carbon Dioxide Emissions, Us Carbon Dioxide Emissions Levels, Us Carbon Emissions, Us Carbon Emissions Levels, Us co2 Emissions Levels, Green News. PITTSBURGH — In a surprising turnaround, the amount ...
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Record Heat, Drought Pose Problems for US Electric Power


Record Heat, Drought Pose Problems for US Electric Power
National Geographic
One of the reactors at the Millstone nuclear power station had to shut down when temperatures in the Long Island Sound, its source of cooling water, became too warm. Photograph by Roger Ressmeyer, Corbis. Joe Eaton. For National Geographic News ..http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/energy/2012/08/120817-record-heat-drought-pose-problems-for-electric-power-grid/

Millstone Looking To Adjust Operation To Warmer Water

Hartford Courant -
As the Unit 2 nuclear reactor at the Millstone Power Station begins its sixth day of a shutdown due to record high water temperatures in Long Island Sound, engineers at the plant are beginning to look at whether the plant could be operated safely with warmer ...

Thousands of cracks found in Belgian nuclear power plant


Thousands of cracks found in Belgian nuclear power plant
EUobserver.com
BRUSSELS - Belgium's nuclear safety chief, Willy De Roovere, on Thursday (16 August) said there could be thousands of cracks in the reactor vessel of the ageing Doel 3 nuclear reactor situated 25 km outside Antwerp and 3 km from the Dutch border.http://euobserver.com/justice/117266

Florida's Nuclear Energy Industry Under Fire

Florida's Nuclear Energy Industry Under Fire
Politic365
Florida's energy industry, like any regulated industry, has to be concerned about legislative or regulatory threats that may negatively impact its bottom line. For example, NextEra Energy, Inc., Florida's largest supplier of residential electricity ...http://politic365.com/2012/08/17/floridas-nuclear-energy-industry-under-fire/

Ukraine badly needs waste nuclear fuel storage facility, says Emergencies Ministry

Ukraine badly needs waste nuclear fuel storage facility, says Emergencies Ministry

Interfax -
17:45. Ukraine needs to give a serious thought to building a centralized storage facility for waste nuclear fuel since waste fuel from Ukrainian nuclear power plants (NPPs), which is temporary stored in the Russian Federation will start to come back from 2013, ...http://www.interfax.com.ua/eng/main/114609/

Emergencies Ministry concerned about lack of storage facilities for nuclear waste

ForUm - ‎12 hours ago‎
Emergencies Ministry concerned about lack of storage facilities for nuclear waste. Emergencies Ministry of Ukraine has expressed concern over the absence of sufficient number of facilities to keep nuclear waste on the territory of the country. "The question ...http://en.for-ua.com/news/2012/08/17/161330.html

Nuclear Meltdown

Nuclear Meltdown


A collection of the nuclear panic that has occurred over the years from Hiroshima to the Fukushima nuclear power plant today http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444508504577591592626381870.html?mod=googlenews_wsj#slide/1

Nuke Plant closer than Fukushima to Epicenter of Last Year's Earthquake ...


Nuke Plant closer than Fukushima to Epicenter of Last Year's Earthquake ...

TopNews United States - ‎12 hours ago‎
In their latest findings, Nuclear experts have appreciated the benefits of designing a structure with enough safety margins that have been noticed now as a Japanese nuclear power plant that is built closer to the epicenter of last year's devastating earthquake ... Nuke Plant closer than Fukushima to Epicenter of Last Year's Earthquake ...

A Rational View of Nuclear Power

A Rational View of Nuclear Power

Wall Street Journal - ‎3 hours ago‎
Social Sharing: On |OffNot You? What's This. Share videos you watch on WSJ Live with your Facebook friends. Videos you watch here will automatically be posted to your timeline. Log OutIf this is not you or you want to change users, logout. Note: You will be ...http://live.wsj.com/video/a-rational-view-of-nuclear-power/8E32D9D0-CEE8-4504-BD35-1207DB9C37DC.html#!8E32D9D0-CEE8-4504-BD35-1207DB9C37DC

The Panic Over Fukushima

The Panic Over Fukushima
Wall Street Journal
Japan's nuclear accident was a great human tragedy, but its long-term health effects have been exaggerated—and the virtues of nuclear power remain. Article; Video; Slideshow; Comments. more in Life & Culture | Find New $LINKTEXTFIND$ » ...http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444772404577589270444059332.html

China Energy Update 8/17

The Ultimate Guide To China's Voracious Energy Use
Business Insider
China already accounts for 21 percent of global energy use driven by its industrial economy and fast growing middle class. Despite the country's heavy investment in renewable energy, the sheer abundance of coal makes it the biggest source of energy for ...

China turns to fracking to help meet growing energy demand
Public Radio International PRI
Hydraulic fracturing has recently emerged as an alternative source of energy in the United States. Now China, the world's largest energy consumer, is experimenting with it. The Chinese government hopes the controversial technology will help wean the ...
Investment From China Places A123 Systems on the Defensive
New York Times (blog)
Mr. Borgasano said roughly $120 million of its federal financing through the Energy Department had not been drawn down. A123, which reported second-quarter losses of more than $80 million, said last month it could be left with only enough cash for four ...

Obstacles hurting Canada-China energy investment
Legal Business Online
Chinese energy firms are particularly interested in the Canadian oil and gas sector, and have invested more than $7 billion in the last year alone. Alberta's oilsands are the world's third-largest proven reserve of crude, and the Nexen bid is China's ...
Daqo New Energy Announces Second Quarter 2012 Results
Sacramento Bee
CHONGQING, China, Aug. 17, 2012 -- /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Daqo New Energy Corp. (NYSE: DQ) ("Daqo New Energy" or the "Company"), a leading polysilicon manufacturer based in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the second ...
China's Hunt for Gold Goes Overseas
Wall Street Journal
BEIJING—After years of scooping big overseas energy and industrial metal assets, China is gaining momentum in another commodity sector: gold. China National Gold Group Corp.'s potential $3.9 billion bid to acquire African Barrick Gold PLC is the ...
Renewables Rout Ends as Asian Bidders Seek Q-Cells, A123: Energy
Businessweek
The slump in renewable energy shares is ending as bidders from China and South Korea signaled interest in German solar manufacturer Q-Cells SE (QCE) and A123 Systems Inc. (AONE), a U.S. maker of batteries for electric cars. Wanxiang Group Corp. of ...
Energy bar
Vancouver Sun
read these stories at financialpost.com/ energy. Official study. Obstacles hurting Canada-China energy investment. Stark differences. Obama spars with Romney on energy policy. follow us on. twitter. @fpenergy Barrelful of energy news @Yad_FPEnergy ...

CNC World - China's energy industry
The move has not only triggered fierce debate over China's fuel pricing mechanism, but also indicates the urgent need to develop energy substitutes to counter ...
www.cncworld.tv/.../26829_
China_s_energy_industry_.shtmlNo.172 

China Energy Market Weekly Report_卓创资讯
No.172 China Energy Market Weekly Report. ... No.171 China Energy Market Weekly Report. 08-10-2012. No.170 China Energy Market Weekly Report. 08-03- ...
english.chem99.com/info_3_539.

 China's energy use down 2 per cent in 2011 | Eco-Business.com
By Michelle Del Gallego-Ngo
Government data issued on Thursday show that China cut its energy usage by 2.01 percent in 2011 to 0.79 tonnes of standard coal equivalent for every 10000 yuan (US$1570) of China's GDP. Beijing recorded the greatest decline, dropping ...
Eco-Business - Asia's Cleantech...

Fukushima Update 8/17

Here's the topic summaries of today's Fukushima Updates. Click the link for the full reports.
 
The Tokyo government ordered Tepco to not tell the Press that unit #3 at F. Daiichi was in a very dangerous state, early on March 14... A study by the National Defense Medical College and Ehime University shows public slander and criticism contributed more to the mental stress of Fukushima workers than fear of radiation... The Tokyo government has begun a comprehensive survey of Fukushima evacuees to see how many want to return home. The government estimates that about 15,000 residents from inside the former no-go zones will not be allowed to return home in the foreseeable future because of possible exposures in excess of 20 mSv... Nearly 700 Japanese retirees want to volunteer in the F. Daiichi recovery, but Tokyo is not cooperating.
 

Tepco/Tokyo executives considered full F. Daiichi abandonment

Tepco/Tokyo executives considered full F. Daiichi abandonment
It now seems that Tepco/Tokyo may have actually deliberated full abandonment of F. Daiichi during the accident. Tepco teleconferencing during March 14 reveals that the possibility was discussed among some Tokyo executives. This shows that Tepco’s incessant denial of considering abandonment has been less than forthright.

US Nuclear Energy Foundation "Evangelizing Nuclear Advocacy by Bringing Science to Citizens"

US Nuclear Energy Foundation
"Evangelizing Nuclear Advocacy by Bringing Science to Citizens"

A Non-Profit 501 (C)(3) Nevada Foundation
PO Box 2867, Sparks, NV 89432 (775) 224-2089
A shock to our nuclear advocacy, we 
Attend Harry Reid's Clean Energy Summit 5.0
 You "may" consider it a shock to see that
a new post on our home page supports
renewable energy 100%, providing it can
achieve cost competitive productivity,
Sustainability & safety!

Like it or not, the end game in energy is to drive down its cost to compete with a world industrial manufacturing market. The "information age"
has electrocuted our industrial manufacturing ability.

These are simple requirements that EVERY energy producer must attain as a viable player in our crucial supply of energy to society. Energy is a critical part of the equation for industrial manufacturing and we need to recover this market.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
The top post on our website, "Renewable Energy is a global necessity!" is the content of a two sided vertical postcard we distributed at this Summit.

Let's not bicker, let's work together and get there quicker!
All-Source Clean Energy Parks

You can visit the Clean Energy Summit at:


Here are some important observations of the Summit.

Media event more than technical analysis: It seemed that most of the summit was talking points about wind, solar and geothermal energy not technical advancements of the technology. Compared to my attendance at American Nuclear Society conventions which are highly technical, this summit was sparse on actual data sharing.

Empowering consumers with more and better energy choices: This was a dissertation on the implementation of the national energy "smart grid" a method to analyze and manage the national distribution of electrical and other energy sources. Analysis is one thing but "controlling" it is the danger which is not being explained. "BECAUSE" we are NOT building new power sources to "support" growing power demands, "they" will manage power shortages of brownouts, blackouts AND "peak power demands by adjusting prices". In Nevada I have notified NV Energy that "I refuse" the installation of their "smart meter" preferring to stay with the conventional analog system.

This all stems from our government failing to recognize the need for a national initiative to build more than 200 nuclear plants to satisfy the expected growth demand of the next 50 - 100 years. If we don't have the power "generation" we will have to pay much more for the power we "use"! It's not rocket science it's much more dangerous, "politics". Ask anyone about "their" advantages of using "smart meters" to conserve their energy . . . if you turn it OFF it works!

Fireside chat with President Bill Clinton and John Podesta: This dialogue was also basically a "closed session" where they reviewed the dialogue of clean energy but there was no audience participation. At the ANS conventions the panels allow questions from the audience which provides a good apolitical input source to the topics addressed.

Technology at the vendor booths: This was the promising portion of this event. There are some excellent private company developments of lighting, geo and solar thermal systems, liquid metal battery technology. These vendors continue to demonstrate that private development is still a viable factor in the clean energy marketplace.

The exciting presence, NIREC and YPE Nevada

Another exciting presence was the (NIREC) Nevada Institute for Renewable Energy Commercialization and YPE Nevada, (Young Professionals in Energy). We firmly believe in our little memo: Let's not bicker, let's work together and get there quicker! All-Source Clean Energy Parks. We know it's not easy but we must educate and bring young people to understand that NUCLEAR is clean energy and we must further the concept of "All-Source Clean Energy Parks" we need all the energy NOT the bickering!

Our visit to the Clean Energy Summit was impromptu but we think very important. Please help offset these expenses
by sending along $25, $50 or $100
USNEF PO Box 2867, Sparks, NV 89432-2867

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

US Nuclear Energy Foundation is 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Anyone making a financial donation to our foundation can claim it as a tax deduction on their IRS tax filing. Our non-profit federal tax identification number is: 27-0603991. To contribute online click on this PayPal button, it will open the DONATION page at our PayPal account and you can contribute funds via your credit card. Thanks for your support!

The PayPal online donation default is $25.00; it does support adding to the quantity box.

  Donate 

Or mail a check to USNEF PO Box 2867, Sparks, NV 89432-2867
 Gray
Urge them to visit our" Join Mail List" TAB on our website.    Join Mail List Click here

As always, kindly forward our newsletter to your contacts with business and nuclear energy interests.
 

Studies examine health consequences of meltdown, damage to Fukushima nuclear power plants in Japan

Studies examine health consequences of meltdown, damage to Fukushima nuclear power plants in Japan

Chicago IL (SPX) Aug 17, 2012
The results of two studies in the August 15 issue of JAMA report on the psychological status of workers at the Fukushima nuclear power plants in Japan several months after the earthquake and tsunami in March 2011, and the amount of internal radiation exposure among residents of a city north of the power plant that experienced a meltdown. As reported in a Research Letter, Jun Shigemura, M.Dhttp://www.terradaily.com/reports/Studies_examine_health_consequences_of_meltdown_damage_to_Fukushima_nuclear_power_plants_in_Japan_999.html

Carving up Turkey’s nuclear energy market

Carving up Turkey’s nuclear energy market

The question is how big is the bird and will any of the proposed deals fly?http://djysrv.blogspot.com/2012/08/carving-up-turkeys-nuclear-energy-market.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FYiuo+%28Idaho+Samizdat%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

ANS Friday Matinee: Idaho National Laboratory’s CAVE

Friday Matinee: Idaho National Laboratory’s CAVE

Idaho National Laboratory‘s Computer Assisted Virtual Environment (CAVE) at the Center for Advanced Energy Studies allows scientists and engineers to literally walk into their data and examine it.
Users can tour a building still under design, plot a new transmission route over terrain, open a valve, or… delve into the core of a nuclear reactor.

Wheeler and Harding discuss ANS Utility Working Conference

Atomic Show #188 - Wheeler and Harding discuss ANS Utility Working Conference

http://atomicinsights.com/2012/08/atomic-show-188-wheeler-and-harding-discuss-ans-utility-working-conference.html

Butterflies are not human analogs. Radiation not only mutagen released in Fukushima by tsunami


Butterflies are not human analogs. Radiation not only mutagen released in Fukushima by tsunami

http://atomicinsights.com/2012/08/butterflies-are-not-human-analogs-radiation-not-only-mutagen-released-in-fukushima-by-tsunami.html

Ethanol in Gas Tanks Makes Food on Your Table Cost More

Ethanol in Gas Tanks Makes Food on Your Table Cost More

Bloomberg
Record-high corn prices should be sending a clear message to policy makers in Washington: Requiring people to put corn-based fuel in their gas tanks is a bad idea. Since 2005, the U.S. government has mandated that gasoline contain ethanol, almost all of it derived from corn. . .http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-16/ethanol-in-gas-tanks-makes-food-on-your-table-cost-more.html

Abundant oil and gas are putting the kabosh on clean energy

Oil & Gas are Putting the Kabosh on Clean Energy

Peter Schwartz, Wired
Since the 1950s, the US has had a perverse approach to energy. In effect we have maximized demand by building bigger, hungrier cars, homes, and lifestyles and minimized supply by limiting oil drilling, coal mining, and nuclear development. And how do we make up the difference? We buy oil from the people who hate us most.http://www.wired.com/business/2012/08/mf_naturalgas/

Nuclear's Dilmemma: Few Jobs, Just Energy

Nuclear's Dilmemma: Few Jobs, Just Energy

William Tucker, Nuclear TH
America's energy future is a contest between coal and wind. Which can create more jobs? If you think there's a better option, you don't have a place at the table. And that's where nuclear stands today. Sure, there may be questions about potential accidents and the effects of radiation, but the real problem is this: Nuclear is so energy intensive that it doesn't produce enough jobs to create a political constituency.http://www.nucleartownhall.com/blog/william-tucker-nuclear%E2%80%99s-problem-%E2%80%94-too-much-energy-not-enough-jobs/

Will Nothing Slay the Ethanol Dragon? Reason

Will Nothing Slay the Ethanol Dragon?
Reasonhttp://reason.com/blog/2012/08/15/will-nothing-slay-the-ethanol-dragon

A123 Systems which got a quarter-billion dollar green technology grant from the Obama administration Just sold out to the Chinese

A123 Systems which got a quarter-billion dollar green technology grant from the Obama administration Just sold out to the Chinese.

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Human Capital: Australia Subsea

Human Capital: Australia Subsea

 
Australia is one of the most important emerging markets in the global energy industry. With an increased focus on offshore exploration and production, its energy sector has grown aggressively and quickly from a relatively small market to a booming, competitive oil and gas arena.
Full Article

PennEnergy's Most Popular Oil & Gas News

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