Finally, someone does something bright regarding nuclear power...

[nathanm]

Earlier today, the US Department of Energy announced that it was ready to guarantee $8.33 billion in loans for the first nuclear power plant to be constructed under its auspices in decades. The project, a planned expansion of the Alvin W. Vogtle Electric Generating Plant in Georgia, would involve building two additional reactors that generate a total of 2.2GW of power. The guarantees are contingent upon the Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing a new reactor design.

This pleases me. If you think global warming is real, it's great for reducing GHG emissions. If you don't, it's great for reducing radioactive and heavy metal releases into the environment. Either way, good news.

[Conan71]

[Gaspar]

I too am in support, unfortunately new regulatory laws require new nuclear facilities to provide expanded permanent storage of nuclear waste.  As of 2010 Obama's Freeze on the facility at Yucca Mountain and the development of new storage facilities has gone into effect.

So this is simply a bunch of words until President Obama lifts the freeze on Yucca and the development of new waste storage facilities.

it's like giving you money to open a restaurant, but you are not allowed to serve food. 

[nathanm]

So this is simply a bunch of words until President Obama lifts the freeze on Yucca and the development of new waste storage facilities.

it's like giving you money to open a restaurant, but you are not allowed to serve food. 

They can still build plants with on-site waste storage just like every other plant has had thus far.

Obama is not going to fight Harry Reid on this, hence the lack of a funding for Yucca mountain. Hopefully Reid won't be in the Senate much longer. Replace him with a Republican or a Democrat, I don't care, but that ineffectual a**hole needs to go.

If Oklahoma had the proper geology for such waste storage, I'd be all for it finding its way into my backyard. Jobs are good.

[Gaspar]

From what I understand the existing plants are allowed to convert their short-term temporary storage facilities to long term storage, but the construction of new long-term storage facilities, even those associated with the construction of a new plant are not allowed. 

So yes the existing plants can continue to operate but the construction of a new plant would require the construction of new wast product storage and that is not allowed.  I suppose they could truck the waste products to other plants for storage?

[Red Arrow]

This pleases me. If you think global warming is real, it's great for reducing GHG emissions. If you don't, it's great for reducing radioactive and heavy metal releases into the environment. Either way, good news.

Hey, we agree about something.

If you want to glow in the dark, move next to a coal fired plant.  Per a 1979 class at TU, coal fired plants emit more radioactivity than nuclear plants due to regulations etc. (That was about the time of Three Mile Island too.)

[nathanm]

Hey, we agree about something.

If you want to glow in the dark, move next to a coal fired plant.  Per a 1979 class at TU, coal fired plants emit more radioactivity than nuclear plants due to regulations etc. (That was about the time of Three Mile Island too.)

It's both amazing we agree and that more people don't know this.

[guido911]

Hey, we agree about something.

If you want to glow in the dark, move next to a coal fired plant.  Per a 1979 class at TU, coal fired plants emit more radioactivity than nuclear plants due to regulations etc. (That was about the time of Three Mile Island too.)

I am so ashamed, I agree with Nate.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Too bad nukes cost so much.

That's the tradeoff - cheaper energy, but dirtier.  Or more expensive energy, but cleaner - except for the waste.  Oh, well, the place is already trashed - what difference will a "little" more make....??

I got to tour another nuke on the west coast over Christmas.  Very cool.  This was a tiny one used for medical isotope type stuff.  Makes neutrons by the billions.  And yes, it did glow in the dark...

This is the fifth one have had the thrill of visiting.  Four very large ones in Canada.  Spooky s***.  One of those had a "near meltdown" experience about 6 months after startup.  Not so cool.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Heard of a new idea today where someone is proposing nukular waste disposal into the open mouth of an active volcano. 

Perfect solution; melt it down in the magma, then let the eruption do a massive dilution on the residuals and spray it over about 14 states!  Perfect solution to a nagging problem!  And cheap!