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NEI News Clips

By Eric McErlain
Here are some other noteworthy news items kicking around the office:

The NRC renewed the operating licenses for Farley Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2, for an additional 20 years. Congratulations to the team at Southern Nuclear Operating company.

In Germany, many environmentalists celebrated the closing of a second nuclear reactor. The closing is part of an agreement between the German government and electric utilities that was concluded back in 2000.

A few weeks ago, we noted that this move may be more costly than some proponents are willing to admit. In addition, the utility executive who negotiated the original agreement with the government said that it was inevitable that Germany would have to turn back to nuclear energy in order to meet aggressive targets on cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Jay Currie has further thoughts.

For a look at the dynamics that are helping to create an unlikely alliance between environmentalists and those concerned with national security, check out Futurepundit. For more, check out EV World.

Thomas John Munsch Jr., the attorney who oversaw the licensing of the Shippingport Nuclear Power Plant, died on May 11. He was 92. Our condolences to his family and friends.

With uranium prices setting new record highs, we shouldn't be surprised at the news that another uranium mine is being re-opened, this time in Wyoming.

U.K. Science Advisor David King said nuclear energy may be the only way Britain can meet its targets on tackling climate change. And U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair reiterated his stand that nuclear energy needs to be considered for Britain's future energy mix.

ICAAP 2005 starts on Saturday in Seoul, South Korea.

A hearty thanks to one California resident for sticking up for San Onofre:
Don Ritchie, noting that he lives close enough to San Onofre to see the blinking red warning lights atop the plant's towering containment domes, said he does not fear nuclear catastrophe or the radioactive waste stored there.

"I haven't had the tiniest concern," Ritchie said. "As far as I'm concerned, if they want to put in a Unit 3, it's fine with me."

The official celebration of Armed Forces Day isn't until May 21st, but the great city of Chattanooga held their parade last Friday. NEI's President and CEO, Skip Bowman, was asked to give a salute to our men and women in uniform.

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Comments

Rob said…
Wow. Does Richie know that SONGS is currently operating units 2 and 3? Unit 1, a much smaller reactor, has been decommissioned for years.
May 16, 2005 at 2:56 PM
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