The long-troubled Vogtle nuclear construction project in Georgia is again in peril, caused by a continuing, uncontrolled increase in costs. While Southern Co., the lead utility in the project, says it is ready to absorb the latest increase in the cost estimate, two major public power systems may pull out. The latest cost increase, $2.3 … More Vogtle project in peril again as costs rise
With the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in a 2-2 partisan deadlock, the internal (and decorous) war between the Democrats and Republicans on the long-festering issue of incorporating greenhouse gas emissions into natural gas pipeline decision appears to be deepening. Commissioner Robert Powelson participated in a number of pipeline cases as he departed the commission on … More Dissent Deepens at FERC over Pipeline Policy
The convoluted tale of South Carolina’s failed nuclear construction project, a year after SCANA Corp. and its South Carolina Electric & Gas subsidiary pulled the plug on the two-unit nuclear project, rolls on. Is an end to this story in sight? Not really. Most recently, on August 6, a federal circuit court rejected SGE&G’s challenge … More South Carolina’s failed V.C. Summer tale continues
Add another casualty to the growing list of U.S. nuclear power plants closing prematurely. Florida-based NextEra Energy announced last week that it will shut the 601-MW Duane Arnold plant in Iowa in late 2020, some five years before its expected shutdown. NextEra said that “Alliant Energy has agreed to make a $110 million buyout payment to NextEra … More Iowa nuke latest to announce early closure
A federal appeals court Thursday (July 26) upheld the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in a landowner challenge to the commission’s approval of the siting of a natural gas pipeline in West Virginia and Virginia. The decision came as FERC is in the midst of reevaluating its pipeline citing policy. A three-judge panel of the 4th … More Appeals court Oks Mountain Valley Pipeline
Donald Trump is rattling a new tariff saber – pointed directly at Canada. It also threatens another long-time U.S. ally, Australia. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross says he will open an inquiry into whether the U.S. should impose tariffs on foreign uranium in the name of national security, the universal hook upon which the Trump administration … More Trump administration looks at uranium import tariffs
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Wednesday adopted new policies and a new federal form to assure that natural gas pipeline consumers will benefit from last year’s reduction of federal corporate income taxes from a maximum 35% to a flat 21%. The commission discussed the issue at its Thursday open meeting, the final one for … More FERC acts on pipeline taxes, Powelson departs
Rumors of the death of utilities and the electric grid have been greatly exaggerated. Mark Twain didn’t say that. The American Public Power Association did in a report released on Monday (July 16). The APPA analysis – “The Value of the Grid” – examines the trends in the electricity business that some claim will render … More APPA: Utilities and the grid will survive
Nuclear power in unlikely to play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., says a new analysis in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The paper first looks at large, advanced light water reactors, concluding. “It appears most unlikely that any new large plants will be built over the … More Is the U.S. set to virtually lose nuclear power’?
A 1,300-MW pumped storage project in the California desert, in the planning and regulatory process for nearly 30 years, has stumbled short of starting line for construction. It could take an act of Congress to resurrect the controversial Eagle Mountain project nestled near the Joshua Tree National Park. Santa Monica-based Eagle Crest Energy Co. has … More Will pumped storage come to the California desert?