Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

Major Energy and Environmental News and Commentary affecting the Nuclear Industry.

Friday, June 1, 2018

ANS Nuclear Policy Wire: So Ordereed?

ANS Nuclear Policy Wire
June 1, 2018

So Ordered?
The Trump administration is seriously considering requiring grid operators to buy electricity from struggling coal and nuclear plants in an effort to extend their life, according to a draft memo circulated before a National Security Council meeting this morning. 
 
Based in part on the Department of Energy's Section 202(c) authority under the Federal Power Act, which allows DOE to order plants to remain open during times of emergency, the memo would have DOE "direct the purchase of power or electric generation capacity from a designated list of facilities 'to forestall any future actions toward retirement, decommissioning or deactivation.'"  
 
This memo comes in the wake of FirstEnergy's DOE petition after it announced nuclear plant closures in Pennsylvania and Ohio. There is no indication that President Trump has signed off on the memo or when an order might be issued. 

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