So many states have been busy passing resolutions or legislation to support new nuclear plant construction that it might just be time for a roundup of all the activity. The bills and resolutions address the sharp increase in energy demand and consumption expected in the United States in the coming decades. They also recognize the need for increased energy independence; new-build incentives in the Energy Policy Act of 2005; and nuclear energy’s safety, reliability and clean-air attributes.
The South Dakota legislature passed a resolution (1010) Feb. 27 supporting the development of nuclear power in the state. It encourages U.S. academic institutions to pursue research in developing nuclear energy, and is similar to a bill, signed into law March 3, to examine the feasibility of new nuclear generation in the state.
Another resolution (865), passed by a large majority of the Georgia State Senate in March, urges electric utilities to conduct a feasibility study for building new nuclear power plants in the state. The resolution cites the price volatility of natural gas—which fuels the large majority of power plants built in Georgia in the last 15 years—as a reason not only to consider new nuclear build, but also to maintain the state’s current share (about 27 percent) of nuclear generation.
Virginia’s proposed comprehensive 10-year energy plan (SB 262), passed by both houses, directs the State Corporation Commission to evaluate different land areas for their suitability as future sites of nuclear, wind energy, liquefied natural gas and solar energy facilities. The four reactors at the existing Surry and North Anna nuclear plants, however, are exempt from this process.
The Florida Energy Diversity and Efficiency Act (S 2494), now under consideration in both houses, proposes a “centrally coordinated permitting process” to support new reactors in the state. It also would define the process for expanding generating capacity at existing nuclear plants in the state.
Out West, the governor of Utah signed a bill (H.B. 46) in March that promotes the study of nuclear power generation.
The legislature in South Carolina is considering a bill (S 1238) encouraging construction of a new nuclear reactor at the single-reactor V.C. Summer plant, of which the South Carolina Public Service Authority and South Carolina Electric and Gas Co. share ownership.
And finally, a bill (HB 2904) is moving through the Kansas House of Representatives that would provide a property tax exemption for a new or expanded nuclear generation facility.
Technorati tags: Nuclear Energy, Nuclear Power, Environment, Energy, Politics, Technology, Economics
The South Dakota legislature passed a resolution (1010) Feb. 27 supporting the development of nuclear power in the state. It encourages U.S. academic institutions to pursue research in developing nuclear energy, and is similar to a bill, signed into law March 3, to examine the feasibility of new nuclear generation in the state.
Another resolution (865), passed by a large majority of the Georgia State Senate in March, urges electric utilities to conduct a feasibility study for building new nuclear power plants in the state. The resolution cites the price volatility of natural gas—which fuels the large majority of power plants built in Georgia in the last 15 years—as a reason not only to consider new nuclear build, but also to maintain the state’s current share (about 27 percent) of nuclear generation.
Virginia’s proposed comprehensive 10-year energy plan (SB 262), passed by both houses, directs the State Corporation Commission to evaluate different land areas for their suitability as future sites of nuclear, wind energy, liquefied natural gas and solar energy facilities. The four reactors at the existing Surry and North Anna nuclear plants, however, are exempt from this process.
The Florida Energy Diversity and Efficiency Act (S 2494), now under consideration in both houses, proposes a “centrally coordinated permitting process” to support new reactors in the state. It also would define the process for expanding generating capacity at existing nuclear plants in the state.
Out West, the governor of Utah signed a bill (H.B. 46) in March that promotes the study of nuclear power generation.
The legislature in South Carolina is considering a bill (S 1238) encouraging construction of a new nuclear reactor at the single-reactor V.C. Summer plant, of which the South Carolina Public Service Authority and South Carolina Electric and Gas Co. share ownership.
And finally, a bill (HB 2904) is moving through the Kansas House of Representatives that would provide a property tax exemption for a new or expanded nuclear generation facility.
Technorati tags: Nuclear Energy, Nuclear Power, Environment, Energy, Politics, Technology, Economics
Comments
http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/content/news_syndication/article_060326nuclear.shtml
But then why did He start up those reactors in Oklo?
http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/
It still won't answer my quetion about Oklo, though.
Blessed are the windmillmakers, for they shall receive an attractive production tax credit.
I don't recall seeing that in the King James Version. Perhaps it's in the Newly Revised Green Living Translation.
Actually, if you read what they have to say, clearly it is Jesus who is anti-nuclear, not God. Indeed, God must be pro-nuclear and pro-radiation, since radiation was the first thing he chose to create when he commanded, "Let there be light."
But, Paul, your points are well taken. Now if only we could hook up some photovoltaics to produce electricity from that light, then we would have nothing to worry about. Maybe that's the strategy that they have in mind.
:)
We also have Helios, God of the sun and the myth of his son Phaeton which tells us what disasters await when you let unskilled people meddle with vast powers, even if those powers are essential for creating good.
(For those of you that don't remember it from school Phaeton got to drive the chariot which pulled the sun and almost crashed it into the earth to the ruin of us all. Zeus stopped him but alas, he had already burnt the Ethiopians, turning their skin black).
Quite a good allegory for not having safe reactors, don't you agree?
http://www.pantheon.org/articles/p/phaeton.html