Here's a summary of what went on in the energy markets last week:
For the podcast click here. For the report click here (pdf). It is also located on NEI's Nuclear Statistics webpage.Electricity prices were mixed to decreasing throughout the country last week (see pages 1 & 2). Gas prices rose at the Henry Hub $0.06 to $8.32 / MMBtu (see page 4). According to Ux Consulting, uranium spot prices jumped $10 to $85 / lb U3O8 last week.
Nuclear plant capacity availability was 96% last week as three reactors were down for maintenance and two reactors were down for refueling outages (see pages 2 & 3).
The Electric Power Research Institute released a study last week detailing how to reduce CO2 emissions in the U.S. over the next 25-30 years. Among the seven technologies recommended was nuclear power which was targeted to build 64 GWe by 2030. For more information on the study go to www.epri.com/.
Comments
Did you note that the IAEA released its new radiation symbol today?
Google "new radiation symbol" AND "IAEA" to see.
Gee, its a skull and cross bones obviously from being too close to an eminating source and a warning not to stay in this area.
gunter, nirs
From the IAEA website (http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/News/2007/radiationsymbol.html):
"The symbol is intended for IAEA Category 1, 2 and 3 sources defined as dangerous sources capable of death or serious injury, including food irradiators, teletherapy machines for cancer treatment and industrial radiography units. The symbol is to be placed on the device housing the source, as a warning not to dismantle the device or to get any closer. It will not be visible under normal use, only if someone attempts to disassemble the device. The symbol will not be located on building access doors, transportation packages or containers."
My question for you, Mr. Gunter, is why are you degrading the IAEA's actions to provide an additional layer of protection for the public against radiation hazards? Were you critical of the Mr. Yuk stickers that came out in the 1970's as a replacement for the traditional skull-and-crossbones warning label for poisonous substances?
I thought the NIRS was supposed to be concerned with public safety and thus logically would be supportive of any sign or symbol that would help warn the public especially if they know little to nothing about nuclear science or technology.
Instead your comments above and previously on this blog appear more aimed at degrading and destroying nuclear science and technology through fear-mongering and public hysteria than at promoting their safe and judicious use. Why is that?
Who's knocking it?
Where are all your hormesis comments? This symbol does'nt seem too supportive of "a little dab will do ya."
gunter, nirs