Big Win For Utility Status Quo? Mr. Bay Goes To Washington

http://www.forbes.com/sites/williampentland/2014/07/18/big-win-for-utility-status-quo-mr-bay-goes-to-washington/

Is EPA About To Relax Radiation Protections From Nuclear Power?

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffmcmahon/2014/07/19/is-epa-about-to-relax-radiation-protection-from-nuclear-power/

 

China says first Westinghouse reactor delayed until at least end-2015

http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/07/18/china-nuclear-ap-idINL4N0PT0T820140718

Columbia Generating Station Sets New Generation Record

Columbia Generating Station Sets New Generation Record

Shared by
Nuclear Energy Inst.

ansnuclearcafe.org - Ratepayers in the Pacific Northwest have reason to celebrate the dedicated employees of Energy Northwest’s 1170-megawatt Columbia Generating Station:  The Northwest’s sole nuclear energy facility g...http://ansnuclearcafe.org/2014/07/16/energy-northwest-sets-new-megawatt-record/

 

VIDEO: Energy Institute Breaks Down the Role of Nuclear

https://www.uschamber.com/blog/video-energy-institute-breaks-down-role-nuclear

Global Physicians Issue Scathing Critique of UN Report on Fukushima

Global Physicians Issue Scathing Critique of UN Report on Fukushima

Fukushima: Bad and Getting Worse

by JOHN LaFORGE

There is broad disagreement over the amounts and effects of radiation exposure due to the triple reactor meltdowns after the 2011 Great East-Japan Earthquake and tsunami. The International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) joined the controversy June 4, with a 27-page “Critical Analysis of the UNSCEAR Report ‘Levels and effects of radiation exposures due to the nuclear accident after the 2011 Great East-Japan Earthquake and tsunami.’”
IPPNW is the Nobel Peace Prize winning global federation of doctors working for “a healthier, safer and more peaceful world.” The group has adopted a highly critical view of nuclear power because as it says, “A world without nuclear weapons will only be possible if we also phase out nuclear energy.”
UNSCEAR, the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, published its deeply flawed report April 2. Its accompanying press release summed up its findings this way: “No discernible changes in future cancer rates and hereditary diseases are expected due to exposure to radiation as a result of the Fukushima nuclear accident.” The word “discernable” is a crucial disclaimer here.
Cancer, and the inexorable increase in cancer cases in Japan and around the world, is mostly caused by toxic pollution, including radiation exposure according to the National Cancer Institute.[1] But distinguishing a particular cancer case as having been caused by Fukushima rather than by other toxins, or combination of them, may be impossible ¾ leading to UNSCEAR’s deceptive summation. As the IPPNW report says, “A cancer does not carry a label of origin…”

FULL: http://www.counterpunch.org/2014/07/18/fukushima-bad-and-getting-worse/

Can nuclear power rebrand itself as environment-friendly?

The nuclear industry is lining up heavy hitters from past administrations to convince Congress and the public that nuclear power represents a solution to climate change. But safety fears post-Fukushima, along with concerns about high building costs and the lack of permanent storage for spent fuel rods, remain big hurdles.  

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Energy-Voices/2014/0718/Can-nuclear-power-rebrand-itself-as-environment-friendly

China and the Arctic: Polar bearings | The Economist

China and the Arctic: Polar bearings | The Economist Certainly China is interested in the Arctic. On July 11th its icebreaker, Xue Long (“Snow Dragon”), embarks on the country’s sixth Arctic expedition, with 65 scientists on board. A new 1.3 billion yuan ($210m) icebreaker will soon be launched, and last December a China-Nordic research centre was opened in Shanghai. In this section The flow of things Polar bearings Big Blue smoke Reprints Related topics Norway China New freight opportunities interest China along the Northern Sea Route (NSR) as ice recedes. In 2010 four ships took the route. Last summer 71 vessels did so. Each ship that takes the route must, at certain points, be accompanied by an ice-breaker, so it is unclear how soon the NSR will be suitable for mass transit, if at all.http://www.economist.com/news/china/21606898-china-pursues-its-interest-frozen-north-polar-bearings?utm_source=The+Sinocism+China+Newsletter&utm_campaign=c0b1123fe1-Sinocism07_18_14&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_171f237867-c0b1123fe1-29615013&mc_cid=c0b1123fe1&mc_eid=5935182a65

March 2011 power loss at Fukushima plant caused by tsunami: regulator

http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2014/07/302889.html

Exelon appeals to New York to keep nuclear plant running

Exelon appeals to New York to keep nuclear plant running Exelon has filed an appeal with the New York State Public Service Commission to create a new power purchase contract to keep its R.E. Ginna plant running for four more years. http://www.utilitydive.com/news/exelon-appeals-to-new-york-to-keep-nuclear-plant-running/287687/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Utility+Dive+Newsletter+created+2014-07-18+091610470327&utm_content=Utility+Dive+Newsletter+created+2014-07-18+091610470327+CID_c4133ca72193cb0a03f55b32f3969df5&utm_source=campaignmonitor&utm_term=Exelon%20appeals%20to%20New%20York%20to%20keep%20nuclear%20plant%20running

 

Report: Utility scale solar to add 3.8 GW by year's end

Report: Utility scale solar to add 3.8 GW by year's end
The U.S. now has more than 7 GW of utility solar installations online, with a further three or more GW due to come online in the next year, according to a new report from GTM Research. http://www.utilitydive.com/news/report-utility-scale-solar-to-add-38-gw-by-years-end/287683/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Utility+Dive+Newsletter+created+2014-07-18+091610470327&utm_content=Utility+Dive+Newsletter+created+2014-07-18+091610470327+CID_c4133ca72193cb0a03f55b32f3969df5&utm_source=campaignmonitor&utm_term=Report%20Utility%20scale%20solar%20to%20add%2038%20GW%20by%20years%20end

PennEnergy's Top Power Headlines 7/17

Top Power Headlines
	World's largest post combustion CO2 capture system for a coal power plant MHI receives order for world's largest post combustion CO2 capture system for a coal-fired power generation plant, for Japan-U.S. joint enhanced oil recovery (EOR) project. Full Article Share:
	The New Face of Efficiency A transparent tower is rising in the heart of Dusseldorf. But rather than housing offices, the structure will be part of the most efficient gas-fired power plant on Earth. Full Article Share:

Top Power News
• Group sues TVA to halt shut down of coal-fired units
• IREC: Solar power becoming vital to US economy
• MIT: Getting a charge out of water droplets
• Worker plummets to his death at Bayside Power Station
• Alstom to build 121 MW CSP plant in Israel
• Siemens installs third HVDC platform in the North Sea
• Juwi builds one of a kind solar park in France
• KfW helps fund for 200 MW geothermal project in Kenya
• SunEdison to bring solar micro-grids to remote villages in India
• Underground lab tackles Japan nuclear waste issue
• Appeals court upholds EPA's mining restraints
• New 400 MW HVDC transmission line energizes South Korea

Lessons Learned: The Big Blackout of 2003 Still Draws Attention to Reliability

Lessons Learned: The Big Blackout of 2003 Still Draws Attention to Reliability

By Samuel Glasser

On a hot day in August 2003, a high-voltage transmission line failed in Ohio, followed by a series of failures on other vital lines over the next two hours. As the massive power flows sought a path of least resistance, they overloaded other high-voltage lines and the time intervals became shorter between each subsequent failure.

Keep reading →http://breakingenergy.com/2014/07/17/lessons-learned-the-big-blackout-of-2003-still-draws-attention-to-reliability/?utm_source=Breaking+Energy&utm_campaign=2bac78cf61-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f852427a4b-2bac78cf61-407304281

Experts To Discuss Wind Energy Potential in the US Southeast

Experts To Discuss Wind Energy Potential in the US Southeast by RenewableEnergyWorld.com Editors | July 16, 2014 | Post Your Comment
	On July 24th, in Charlotte, N.C., the Southeastern Coastal Wind Coalition will convene key stakeholders for a working session to discuss Wind Energy Resource Assessment and Data Collection in the Southeast. Experts from industry,... Full Articlehttp://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2014/07/experts-to-discuss-wind-energy-potential-in-the-southeast?cmpid=WNL-Friday-July18-2014

US Should Learn from Germany’s Renewable Energy…Mistakes?

US Should Learn from Germany’s Renewable Energy…Mistakes? by Meg Cichon, Associate Editor, RenewableEnergyWorld.com | July 16, 2014 | 11 Comments
	While Germany is often lauded for its Energiewende, a new report released by Zurich-based Finadvice for the Edison Electric Institute explains the consequences of its transition, which include high electricity prices, subsidy debt... Full Articlehttp://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2014/07/us-should-learn-from-germanys-renewable-energymistakes?cmpid=WNL-Friday-July18-2014

Power Engineering's Top Stories 7/17

Top Stories
	Carbon capture project planned for coal-fired unit in Texas Petra Nova Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of NRG Energy (NYSE: NRG) has formed a 50/50 joint venture with a subsidiary of JX Nippon Oil & Gas Exploration Corp. to build a $1 billion carbon capture project in Texas. Read More Share:
	Councilors ask IPL to eliminate coal by 2020 City-County Council members, Zach Adamson and William Oliver, want Indianapolis Power & Light Co. (IPL) to stop burning coal in Marion County, Indiana by 2020. Read More Share:
	Minnesota Power, US reach settlement to reduce emissions at coal-fired facilities Minnesota Power, an ALLETE (NYSE: ALE) company, will install pollution control technology at three coal-fired power plants, as part of a settlement with the U.S. Read More Share:
	Senate backs 2 nominees to serve on FERC The Senate approved two nominees for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Tuesday under an unusual political deal in which a FERC staff member will eventually be promoted to lead the commission. Read More Share:

The Week's Most Read Articles
	Missouri Governor Signs Carbon Emissions Bill Gov. Jay Nixon has signed legislation directing Missouri regulators to develop their own standards for carbon dioxide pollution from power plants. Read More Share:
	Xcel blamed for cost overruns at Monticello plant An investigation into major cost overruns in a project to upgrade Xcel Energy (NYSE: XEL) nuclear plant in Monticello has found that managers at the utility didn't have adequate oversight and didn't fully plan for the complex job of replacing reactor components. Read More Share:
	Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository may still be developed The U.S. House of Representatives voted down two proposals to prevent development of the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository in Nevada. Read More Share:
	Developer works on up-to-740-MW Texas gas project Lon C. Hill LP is continuing to advance its permitting for an up to 740-MW, gas-fired, combined-cycle power plant project in Neuces County, Texas, at a former power plant site. Read More Share:

More Headlines
• Report: Geothermal power market forecast to 2019
• Texas clean coal project adds Chinese project partner
• Wyoming grants wind power project site extension
• Six U.S. utilities form advisory board for Areva’s fuel assembly design
• EDF Renewable acquires wind project, signs PPA with Microsoft
• AMEC to support new nuclear build in Poland
• Japanese nuclear plant deemed safe, nears restart
• WTO rules against US photovoltaic import practices, Canadian Solar responds
• Pattern Energy receives certificate for wind project in Canada
• NRG Energy donates $100,000 for solar power at Houston Food Bank
• Gamesa receives contract for wind turbines in US, Mexico
• TVA donating equipment used in coal ash cleanup
• Executives at Siemens wind division leave amid reorganization
• B&W to supply boilers to coal-fired power plant in Dominican Republic
• Natural gas, renewables to lead new capacity additions through 2040
• Company wants to buy & restart Kewaunee nuclear power plant