NEI Nuclear Notes

In an interview with New York Times reporter Barnaby Feder , Entergy's Wayne Leonard had this to say bout his company's future with nuclear energy: Q. Let's talk about nuclear energy, the part of Entergy that has been obscured by the blow to its regulated power distribution companies. You're the second biggest operator of nuclear plants around the country. What Entergy's nuclear future? A. A big portion of our earnings and growth is occurring with nuclear power plants in the Northeast and South that people questioned when we bought them. Every three or four months we are saving our customers half a billion dollars. Our strategy has been acquiring plants that are already built and fixing them up. Two years ago, I said I'm not enthusiastic at all about being the first to build a new plant. My mind's changed on that. I want to be at the head of the line. More and more environmentalists are recognizing that the issues of global warming are real and they are sa...

Yesterday, we pointed to a press announcement about a promising joint venture in the nuclear business. Now we have more details : Constellation Energy (NYSE:CEG) and AREVA Inc., today announced the formation of UniStar Nuclear, a joint enterprise that provides the business framework through which the first fleet of advanced nuclear power plants in America in nearly three decades could be developed and deployed. The UniStar Nuclear model brings together in one complete package, a preeminent nuclear reactor vendor and a deeply experienced nuclear fleet licensee, operator and owner. Specifically, UniStar Nuclear will offer the business framework that could enable the development of joint ventures with Constellation Energy, other energy companies and interested parties. Those joint ventures, in turn, would license, construct, own and operate nuclear power plants as part of a standardized fleet. My colleague Rich Bickers is on site at the Washington press conference with my iPod, so we ma...

There was a very interesting article in this morning's New York Times regarding the dilemma many environmentalists find themselves in regarding their opposition to nuclear energy, and their support for cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. Here's Matt Wald : A proposed agreement among nine Northeast states to cap greenhouse gas emissions from power plants casts a new light on arguments in New Jersey and Vermont about whether the licenses of two aging nuclear plants should be extended. Community groups in both states are opposing the extensions of the licenses beyond their 40-year terms, but environmentalists are generally supportive of the proposed agreement among the governors to reduce these greenhouse gases, which contribute to global climate change. Shutting down the two reactors would mean immediate, substantial increases in the emissions, because it would increase reliance on fossil fuel plants, probably tripling emissions in Vermont and doubling them in New Jersey. The ag...

Just moved on the newswires: Media Advisory Two Major U.S. Energy Corporations to Announce Unprecedented Business Platform to Design, Build, License and Operate New Nuclear Power Plants in America When: Sept. 15, 10:00 a.m. Where: National Press Club 529 14th St. NW, 13th Floor Washington, DC 20045 Who: Two national energy corporations with more than $15 billion in combined annual revenues will hold a press conference on Thursday (9/15) to announce a new joint venture that will create a new business model to design, build, license and operate new nuclear power plants in America. The corporate partners also will announce their nuclear plant technology of choice which the new venture plans to market. Finally, the partners will outline why now is the right time to be a leader in the rebirth of nuclear power in America. How: If you are unable to attend this news conference you may also call in and ask questions by dialing 800-732-8491. Or you can listen to a streaming web cast of the new...

DaimlerChrysler, BMW and General Motors have announced a new alliance for the joint development of hybrid drive systems. Click here to check out the press release. Technorati tags: Nuclear Energy Environment Energy Politics Technology Economics Hybrid Vehicles Cars Autos

That was the title of an address that NEI President and CEO Skip Bowman delivered at Town Hall Los Angeles yesterday afternoon. You can find a copy of the speech by clicking here . Here's an excerpt: I do not believe the United States was, or is, facing an imminent energy crisis. This nation is blessed with an abundance of energy resources, a robust portfolio of energy technologies and the most ingenious and innovative people on the planet. No: We do not have a shortage of resources or technology. We have a shortage of investment. We are not facing an energy crisis. We are facing an energy investment crisis. America’s energy infrastructure and, in particular, the electricity infrastructure, has been starved for investment for more than a decade. The new energy policy legislation is designed to address that issue—to ensure that investment capital flows to where it is needed; to provide investment stimulus for advanced, more efficient, more economic, cleaner electric generation ...

Released today from the NRC press office: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has announced the opportunity to request a hearing on an application to renew the operating license for the Oyster Creek Generating Station for an additional 20 years. The Oyster Creek nuclear plant is a boiling water reactor located nine miles south of Toms River, N.J. AmerGen Energy Co. LLC submitted the renewal application July 22. The current operating license for Oyster Creek expires on April 9, 2009. The NRC staff has determined that the application contains sufficient information for the agency to formally "docket," or file, the application and begin its technical review. Docketing the application does not preclude requesting additional information as the review proceeds; nor does it indicate whether the Commission will grant the application. A notice of opportunity to request a hearing will be published soon in the Federal Register. The deadline for requesting a hearing is 60 days after publi...