Elizabeth Kolbert: Covering the hot topic of climate change by going to the ends of the Earth

 

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Abstract

In this interview, author and New Yorker writer Elizabeth Kolbert talks with the Bulletin’s Dan Drollette Jr about her recently published book, The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History. She discusses how she became interested in the topic, the difficulties she found in explaining complex, interrelated topics such as climate change, invasive species, and ocean acidification, and what she hopes readers will take away from reading the book. She explains the role of a journalist as opposed to that of a scientist, saying that it is important to explain the issues to the public, if not necessarily to offer a list of specific, concrete solutions. Kolbert says she hopes that by interpreting complicated scientific evidence for the general public, her work will encourage engagement with the problems.

http://bos.sagepub.com/content/early/2014/06/18/0096340214538957.full

http://newenergyandfuel.com/http:/newenergyandfuel/com/2009/10/12/a-battery-with-a-million-times-more-energy-than-chemical-batteries/

A Battery With a Million Times More Energy Than Chemical Batteries

October 12, 2009 | 1 Comment

University of Missouri researchers are developing a nuclear energy source that is smaller, lighter and more efficient. Before you freak out, Jae Kwon, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at MU says, “People hear the word ‘nuclear’ and think of something very dangerous. However, nuclear power sources have already been safely powering a variety of devices, such as human heart pace-makers, space satellites and underwater systems.”
This likely will be quite important.  Professor Kwon’s recent paper submitted to the 15th International Conference on Solid-State Sensors, Actuators and Microsystems (also known this year by its snappier name, Transducers 2009) was awarded the honor of being selected as “outstanding paper” out of the 599 papers admitted out of 1,306 accepted for review to the June conference in Denver, Colo.
- See more at: http://newenergyandfuel.com/http:/newenergyandfuel/com/2009/10/12/a-battery-with-a-million-times-more-energy-than-chemical-batteries/#sthash.ngXJZ7fo.dpuf

Seminar: Experts urge use of nuclear technology to address energy crisis

http://tribune.com.pk/story/728114/seminar-experts-urge-use-of-nuclear-technology-to-address-energy-crisis/

Nuclear Energy vital for Ghana’s economic advancement

http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=314652

The Hindu: Govt panel working on nuclear insurance pool

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/govt-panel-working-on-nuclear-insurance-pool/article6157877.ece

Report calls for building inland nuclear power stations

Report calls for building inland nuclear power stations

Arnaud Lefevre-Baril Chief Executive Officer at Dynatom International GmbH

2014-06-27 08:28 China Daily
China should vigorously develop nuclear energy and restart the plan to build nuclear power stations inland to reduce the nation's high energy consumption per unit of gross domestic product and clear smog and haze, said a report released on Thursday.
The Report on the Development of China's Eco-Cities (2014), produced by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said China's primary energy consumption in 2012 was 3.62 billion metric tons of standard coal, or 20 percent of the world's total consumption.
China creates 14,000 yuan ($2,250) of GDP when burning one ton of standard coal. The figure is the equivalent of 25,000 yuan for the global average, 31,000 yuan for the Unites States, and 50,000 yuan for Japan, the report said.
It provided the ranking of 116 major Chinese cities based on their energy consumption per unit of GDP in 2012. Urumqi, capital of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, is at the bottom of the list, generating only 4,184 yuan of GDP per ton of standard coal. Huangshan, Anhui province, tops the list at 22,371 yuan, which is still below the global average.
China consumed about half of the world's coal in 2012. Half of the consumption was at its thermal power stations, a major discharger of airborne pollutants. As for hydropower, the country has already developed 46 percent of the 500 million kilowatts that is considered the total that can be exploited.
In consequence, the report suggests restarting the plan to build nuclear power stations inland and reducing the number of thermal power stations to achieve greener urbanization.
"Setting up nuclear reactors only along the coast cannot fulfill inland cities' growing thirst for green energy and the sustainability of the power network during extreme weather," said Chen Xiaoqiu, deputy chief engineer of the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Center in the Ministry of Environmental Protection.
Chen said developing inland nuclear power plants would be an effective method for optimizing energy distribution and should be considered a necessity for clearing smog and improving air quality in many regions.
However, some experts strongly oppose the idea of developing inland nuclear power stations.
Wang Yinan, a researcher at the State Council's Development Research Center, said the latest research has noted that a lack of cooling water is a major constraint on operating nuclear stations in Europe and the United States.
This problem could be even tougher for such a thirsty country as China, whose per capita share of freshwater resources is one-fourth of the world average, Wang wrote in an article published in April in China Energy News.

Memphis center to help in case of nuclear disaster

Memphis center to help in case of nuclear disaster

SFGate

Officials with nuclear power companies, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Tennessee Valley Authority attended the ribbon-cutting at the ...http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Memphis-center-to-help-in-case-of-nuclear-disaster-5585369.php

"Nuclear Power Uprates: What, how, when, and will there be more?" by Will Davis

"Nuclear Power Uprates: What, how, when, and will there be more?" by Will Davis

Over the years, existing U.S. nuclear plants have added generating capacity equivalent to almost 7 entirely new 1000 MWe plants, through power uprates - an amazing amount of new energy - at a fraction of the cost. How does this work exactly? Is there room for more? Will Davis at ANS Nuclear Cafe

http://ansnuclearcafe.org/2014/06/26/nuclear-power-uprates-what-how-when-and-will-there-be-more/

Tiny Electric Grids Help States Weather Extreme Storms - Scientific American

Tiny Electric Grids Help States Weather Extreme Storms - Scientific American

MIT Spectrum | Continuum | MIT Inventions on Display at White House

MIT Spectrum | Continuum | MIT Inventions on Display at White House

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant Weekly Review

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant Weekly Review

http://nuclearstreet.com/nuclear_power_industry_news/b/nuclear_power_news/archive/2014/06/27/fukushima-daiichi-nuclear-plant-weekly-review-062701.aspx#.U638FxlXDY0

Fast reactor starts clean nuclear energy era in Russia

http://rt.com/news/168768-russian-fast-breeder-reactor/

Radiation-Leak Investigators Shift Sights to Los Alamos Lab

Radiation-Leak Investigators Shift Sights to Los Alamos Lab

http://www.nti.org/gsn/article/nuclear-leak-investigators-shift-sights-los-alamos-lab/

Nu-Gen steps up its plans for nuclear new build

A team from NuGen will begin to carry out geographical surveys at Moorside that, it is hoped, will pave the way for a new power station with three reactors being built.http://energyandnuclear.com/2014/06/26/nu-gen-steps-up-its-plans-for-nuclear-new-build/

Winfrith opens reactor containment for first time

The removal of a 50-tonne concrete and steel plug has allowed access to the containment of the UK’s prototype steam generating heavy water reactor (SGHWR) for the first time since it was built in the 1960s.http://energyandnuclear.com/2014/06/27/winfrith-opens-reactor-containment-for-first-time/

Yucca Mountain Follies: Let’s Rewrite The Ending, Please

Yucca Mountain Follies: Let’s Rewrite The Ending, Please

Another act in the long running farcical melodrama called Yucca Mountain is unfolding this month. We have such a cast of characters that Broadway, or perhaps Monty Python’s Flying Circus, would be envious. Yucca Mountain Follies: Let’s Rewrite The Ending, Please

5 Key Disruptors on the Grid Edge

5 Key Disruptors on the Grid Edge

By GreenTech Media

Ranking the challenges of a distributed energy future at Grid Edge Live 2014. The grid edge is a complex realm, combining traditional utility operations with the emerging world of distributed energy generation and control. Greentech Media’s inaugural Grid Edge Live conference, taking place this week in San Diego, is dedicated to finding solutions to these complex,

Keep reading →http://breakingenergy.com/2014/06/26/5-key-disruptors-on-the-grid-edge/?utm_source=Breaking+Energy&utm_campaign=c3dfaad0a8-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f852427a4b-c3dfaad0a8-407304281

Energy Quote of the Day: ‘Ice-cold National Industrial Policy’

Energy Quote of the Day: ‘Ice-cold National Industrial Policy’

By Jared Anderson

GE’s apparently successful takeover of key segments of Alstom’s prized energy business raised eyebrows when many thought German energy giant Siemens would prevail. Siemens’ unwillingness to part with its train signaling business – a critical concession made by GE – is reportedly one aspect of the deal that tipped negotiations in GE’s favor. Interestingly, the

Keep reading →http://breakingenergy.com/2014/06/26/energy-quote-of-the-day-ice-cold-national-industrial-policy/?utm_source=Breaking+Energy&utm_campaign=c3dfaad0a8-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f852427a4b-c3dfaad0a8-407304281

Our Climate Action Progress: One-Year Report By U.S. Department of Energy

Our Climate Action Progress: One-Year Report

By U.S. Department of Energy

  Editor’s note: This article originally appeared on WhiteHouse.gov. The effects of climate change are already being felt across the nation. In the past three decades, the percentage of Americans with asthma has more than doubled, and climate change is putting those Americans at greater risk of landing in the hospital. The impacts of extreme

Keep reading →http://breakingenergy.com/2014/06/26/our-climate-action-progress-one-year-report/?utm_source=Breaking+Energy&utm_campaign=c3dfaad0a8-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f852427a4b-c3dfaad0a8-407304281

PennEnergy Top Oil & Gas News 6/27

Top Oil & Gas News 7,500 gallons of oil spills in Colorado river A storage tank damaged by floodwaters dumped 7,500 gallons of crude oil into the Poudre River near Windsor in northern Colorado, slickening vegetation a quarter-mile downstream, but apparently not affecting any drinking water, state officials said Friday. Full Article Share: PennEnergy Video News Update From Russia's fight against terrorist oil sales, to Ukraine's request for pipeline help, to Repsol's significant discovery in Siberia, all of the week's biggest headlines are in the PennEnergy Video News Update. Full Article Share: This Week's Most Popular Oil & Gas News • Russia wants UN to prevent terrorists selling oil • Ukraine open to Western involvement in gas pipeline • Tesoro reaches agreement to acquire terminalling and pipeline assets • Spain's Repsol makes Russian hydrocarbon discovery • API: All-of-the-above protects the environment and our economy • GE supplying PEMEX with oilfield control equipment in Gulf of Mexico • Aker vessel contract canceled by Total • KrisEnergy contracts jack-up rig for Thai drilling campaign • GE Oil & Gas secures order for industry first deepwater drilling systems • Sterling Global Operations puts tracked armored vehicle into use to support oil and gas exploration • Foster Wheeler awarded contract for steam reformer heater in Russia • Tullow updates exploration activities in east Africa • Gazprom discusses large-scale activities in Eastern Russia • Planned Indonesia LNG terminal continues GDF Suez gas infrastructure development • Arkose Cantex acquires interest in Wyoming oilfield Energy Insights All Energy, All the Time: Information aftershocks Lately, a third negative Oklahoma story is permeating the national airwaves, that of our growing earthquake industry. The state is quickly claiming the title of Earthquake Capitol of the US, as it has already doubled California in the ground-shaking events this year. Full Article Share: More Than Weather Talk: Lightning Awareness Week – Do you have all the facts? Each year lightning kills 51 people, on average. So far, for 2014, there have been six reported lightning deaths. Last year there were 23 fatalities in 14 states and 28 deaths reported the year before. Full Article Share:

Renewables Provide 14 Percent of Electrical Generation During First Third of 2014

Renewables Provide 14 Percent of Electrical Generation During First Third of 2014 by Kenneth Bossong, SUN DAY Campaign | June 26, 2014 | Post Your Comment
	Two new back-to-back reports from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) provide a snapshot of U.S. energy trends for the first months of 2014. Full Articlehttp://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2014/06/renewables-provide-14-percent-of-electrical-generation-during-first-third-of-2014?cmpid=WNL-Friday-June27-2014

World Bank Says ‘Climate Smart’ Policies Boost Growth

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2014/06/world-bank-says-climate-smart-policies-boost-growth?cmpid=WNL-Friday-June27-2014

Lack of a plan for HTR threatens NGNP prototype - US GAO report

http://www.neimagazine.com/news/newslack-of-a-plan-for-htr-threatens-ngnp-prototype---us-gao-report-4303440

Sweden plans big rise in fees to nuclear decommissioning fund

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/business/sweden-plans-big-rise-in-fees-to-nuclear-decommissioning-fund/articleshow/37335517.cms

Why Russia needs to develop nuclear energy

Why Russia needs to develop nuclear energy June 24, 2014 Andrei Frolov, special to RBTH Russian expert discusses the importance of nuclear energy in Russia.
Source: Russia Beyond the Headlines - http://rbth.com/opinion/2014/06/24/why_russia_needs_to_develop_nuclear_energy_37455.html)

http://rbth.com/opinion/2014/06/24/why_russia_needs_to_develop_nuclear_energy_37455.html

Urbanization and Nuclear Power

http://www.power-eng.com/articles/npi/print/volume-7/issue-3/departments/fuel-for-thought/urbanization-and-nuclear-power.html

800 MW fast neutron russian breeder reactor is fully powered up

800 MW fast neutron russian breeder reactor is fully powered up

http://nextbigfuture.com/2014/06/800-mw-fast-neutron-russian-breeder.html

the future of more cities, more nuclear energy, and water management

the future of more cities, more nuclear energy, and water management

http://nextbigfuture.com/2014/06/the-future-of-more-cities-more-nuclear.html

Report calls for building inland nuclear power stations

China should vigorously develop nuclear energy and restart the plan to build nuclear power stations inland to reduce the nation's high energy consumption per unit of gross domestic product and clear smog and haze, said a report released on Thursday.
The Report on the Development of China's Eco-Cities (2014), produced by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said China's primary energy consumption in 2012 was 3.62 billion metric tons of standard coal, or 20 percent of the world's total consumption.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2014-06/27/content_17618775.htm

Nigeria to build long-delayed hydropower plant

Nigeria to build long-delayed hydropower plant powerengineeringint.com

A 3 GW hydropower plant is to be built in Nigeria after over 30 years of delay.

http://www.powerengineeringint.com/articles/2014/06/nigeria-to-build-long-delayed-hydropower-plant.html 

European Nuclear Power

European Nuclear Power

http://www.platts.com/conferencedetail/2014/pc472/index?sf3465486=1

 

B&W small modular reactor unit lays off 100

http://www.power-eng.com/articles/2014/06/b-w-small-modular-reactor-unit-lays-off-100.html

China Intelligent Nuclear Power Engineering Project to Achieve Wide Application in 2017

China Intelligent Nuclear Power Engineering Project to Achieve Wide Application in 2017

Arnaud Lefevre-Baril Chief Executive Officer at Dynatom International GmbH

China General Nuclear Group (CGN) announced, on June 25th, that its overall technology scheme on “Intelligent NPP” has passed the review of China Nuclear Energy Association, which is China’s first intelligent nuclear power project. The study results of it will be successively applied on construction of the domestic nuclear projects and will be widely applied in 2017.
In recent years, every country have taken the study and research of the intelligent nuclear power plant as a main means and direction for them to improve the quality of nuclear design and construction.
Currently CGN is China’s largest nuclear power operator and the world’s largest nuclear power constructor. So far, CGN has undertaken 64% production & operation of NPPs in operation and 51% engineering construction of NPPs under construction in China. In order to further promote the nuclear design ability, CGN carried out further study and research on this aspect basing on project construction practice.
According to the scheme reviewed, the project will be carried out through synergistically developing the seven special items including “unified business process, collaborative design, intelligent construction, project management, simulation deduction, and knowledge engineering and information architecture and data center.

Source: http://news.bjx.com.cn/html/20140626/521941.shtml/html/20140626/52198html0.s

Yes, it's getting hotter in the U.S. -- but the humidity will kill you

Hotter temperatures mixed with humidity will make it unbearable to live in, oh, everywhere.

By Jim Meyerhttp://grist.org/list/yes-its-getting-hotter-in-the-u-s-but-the-humidity-will-kill-you/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Daily%2520June%252027&utm_campaign=daily

UTILITIES:

Mo. experience epitomizes quandary for nuclear projects

Jeffrey Tomich, E&E reporter
EnergyWire: Friday, June 27, 2014

Years after Missouri's largest utility set out to pursue a license for a second reactor in the state, hundreds of pages of data submitted to the federal regulators continue to idly collect dust.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission's review of Ameren Missouri's submission is one of seven construction and operating license applications that have been formally withdrawn or suspended amid the Fukushima Daiichi disaster in Japan, the Great Recession and a shale gas revolution that's upended energy markets.

http://www.eenews.net/stories/1060002061

Seeking Consensus on the Internalized Costs of Mature Energy Storage Technologies

http://theenergycollective.com/schalk-cloete/406141/seeking-consensus-internalized-costs-mature-energy-storage-technologies?utm_source=tec_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter&inf_contact_key=fc0b2b5ac001875110467c5e4e3071fcf9ecf5e1de4e6484bce8be78d3eb0ff7

Much Talked About Myths about Renewable Energy

http://rare.us/story/if-were-really-gutting-our-military-why-does-spending-keep-going-up/

Kola Nuclear Power Plant to give 15 more years of life to its oldest reactors

http://bellona.org/news/nuclear-issues/nuclear-russia/2014-06-kola-nuclear-power-plant-give-15-years-life-oldest-reactors

1

Six decades of nuclear power

http://www.thedailystar.net/six-decades-of-nuclear-power-30528

Nuclear Power Corporation's 10 reactors under IAEA safeguards

Nuclear Power Corporation's 10 reactors under IAEA safeguards

http://www.steelguru.com/indian_news/Nuclear_Power_Corporations_10_reactors_under_IAEA_safeguards/342602.html

WWT encourages wells over aging water infrastructure

June 27, 2014 | By Barbara Vergetis Lundin

The Water Well Trust, a national nonprofit helping Americans get access to a clean, safe water supply, has broken ground on its second project in Georgia. The existing water infrastructure is failing in Ben Hill County where the project is taking place, and the county cannot afford the estimated $600,000 for repairs.

Breaking ground on the first of eight water wells provided by the Water Well Trust. Credit: PRNewsFoto/Water Well Trust

Enter the Water Well Trust.http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/wwt-encourages-wells-over-aging-water-infrastructure/2014-06-27?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal

National framework for energy efficiency action

http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/national-framework-energy-efficiency-action/2014-06-27?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal

Optimistic overall, energy execs still harbor industry concerns

http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/optimistic-overall-energy-execs-still-harbor-industry-concerns/2014-06-27?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal

Algae biotechnology: The ''Green Revolution 2.0''

http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/algae-biotechnology-green-revolution-20/2014-06-27?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal

Swedish utilities face sharp hike in waste fee

Swedish utilities face sharp hike in waste fee
Sweden's nuclear regulator proposes to almost double in 2015 the fees paid by utilities into the country's nuclear waste fund. The increase follows a recalculation of decommissioning and waste disposal costs.http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/WR-Swedish-utilities-face-sharp-hike-in-waste-fee-2706144.html

Russia celebrates two industry 'firsts' at Beloyarsk and Obninsk

Russia celebrates two industry 'firsts' at Beloyarsk and Obninsk
Russia celebrated two stand-out achievements in nuclear energy today - first criticality at the most powerful fast reactor and the 60th anniversary of the first civilian nuclear power plant supplying electricity to the grid.http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NN-Russia-celebrate-two-industry-firsts-at-Beloyarsk-and-Obninsk-2706141.html

3:01am Jun 27 "Laid to Waste - The Dirty Secret of Combustion Waste from America's Power Plants"

3:01am Jun 27

"Laid to Waste - The Dirty Secret of Combustion Waste from America's Power Plants" by Martha Keating, Ellen Baum and Margaret Round.
Put together by the Citizens Coal Council, Hoosier Environmental Council, Clean Air Task Force - March 2000

Laid_to_Waste.pdf

Power Engineering Top Stories 6/27

Top Stories
	Coal-fired unit at Drake Martin power plant back online after fire Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) brought Unit 6 of the 254-MW Drake Martin coal-fired power plant back online. Read More Share:
	Moxie Energy to build natural gas power plant near Susquehanna nuclear facility Virginia-based Moxie Energy is planning to build a 900-MW natural gas power plant on Route 11, near the Susquehanna nuclear facility in Pennsylvania, according to Colleen Connolly, spokeswoman for the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Read More Share:
	NRC issues yellow findings for fatal accident at Arkansas Nuclear One The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued two “yellow” findings for Entergy (NYSE: ETR)’s Arkansas Nuclear One plant for a March 2013 fatal accident. A yellow finding is one of substantial safety significance. Read More Share:
	Unit 2 at Susquehanna nuclear power plant taken offline for turbine inspection Unit 2 at the Susquehanna nuclear power plant, in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, is in the process of being taken offline. Read More Share:

The Week's Most Read Articles
	GE makes revised offer for France's Alstom General Electric Co. on Thursday submitted a revised offer to buy the power generation business of France's Alstom SA that the American company hopes will be enough to win approval from the French government and see off a rival bid by Germany's Siemens AG. Read More Share:
	Video: Duke Energy completes demolition at retired H.F. Lee coal plant Duke Energy Progress (NYSE: DUK) imploded the boilers Friday morning at the retired H.F. Lee Steam Plant located in Wayne County, N.C. This was the second implosion at the site; the first occurred in December 2013. Read More Share:
	TEPCO: Fukushima Daiichi ice wall progressing; standing water wont freeze Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) said difficulties to freeze standing water are being confused with an ice wall project at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Read More Share:
	Black & Veatch to build combined cycle project in Oklahoma Northeast Oklahoma’s Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) has selected Black & Veatch to engineer and construct a 495-MW combined cycle unit near Chouteau, Oklahoma. Read More Share:

More Headlines
• Wind curtailments & negative wholesale electricity prices drop in Texas
• Kudankulam nuclear Unit 1 reaches full power
• First Wind: Massachusetts solar project enters commercial operations
• Largest rooftop solar array in Mexico completed
• Solar power installed at Denver International Airport
• Monitor warns of delays building Ga. nuclear plant
• Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems’ natural gas-fired turbine reaches milestone
• Texas community wind farm sold to First Wind Holdings
• Solar power project powers retirement community in Maryland
• Energy monitoring company purchases solar PV O&M company
• Energy-from-waste project to use waste from city of Boston
• Lockheed Martin, Chinese company partner on prototype nuclear I&C system
• SunShare sells land for onsite solar power