Some interesting recent nuclear news items worth reporting, at a time of the year when vacations dominate business and news is slow. Vogtle: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Wednesday (Aug. 3) gave thumbs up for Georgia Power to begin startup operations at its Vogtle 3 nuclear unit, signing off on the second phase of … More Nuclear Roundup: Vogtle 3, Hinkley B, Germany, EDF, Crocs
Nary a day goes by without an internet news story about a fusion energy “breakthrough,” often breathlessly claiming that the event significantly shortens the already glacial advance of energy that is “clean,” “endless,” and, we’ve heard this before, “too cheap to meter.” Some of the reporting is legitimate, some is hyperbolic. Some recent examples: ‘‘Holy … More Fusion confusion: limitless energy or dead end?
By Henry Sokolski Iran’s nuclear program, oil, and human rights dominated Biden’s much-anticipated first presidential trip to the Middle East earlier this month. But there is one topic President Biden chose not to showcase during his visit with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Al Saud—the Kingdom’s most recent interest in nuclear energy—and … More Commentary: arresting Chinese nuclear adventurism
While many economists argue that taxing carbon dioxide is the most efficient and effective way to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, new work by noted energy and environment economist Severin Borenstein, head of the Haas Energy Institute at the University of California Berkeley, will fuel skepticism about the conventional economic wisdom. Borenstein has long been … More Economists debunk carbon taxes
For many energy analysts who focus on reducing carbon dioxide emissions, hydrogen as a fuel is intriguing. Plentiful (the most plentiful element in the universe), odorless, colorless, tasteless, and very combustible. But H2 does not live alone. It is bound up with other elements, including with another plentiful element, oxygen, to form water, H2O. Hydrogen … More Bursting the hydrogen bubble?
Lithium-ion batteries have been transformative. They have made electric vehicles practical, pointing the way to a future using much less petroleum. They have revolutionized power tools, from drills to saws to log splitters to string trimmers, untethering many chores from gasoline cans or long cords. But there is an elemental fly in the lithium-ion electric … More Is lithium brine mining sustainable?
The French government this week announced it would fully nationalize the giant, troubled, heavily nuclear utility Electricite de France. Bloomberg reported, “The climate emergency requires strong, radical decisions,” Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said during a policy speech in parliament in Paris on Wednesday. “We need to have full control of the production and our energy … More Is pure socialism the answer to French nuclear woes?
A panel of environmental lawyers with expertise in the Clean Air Act addressed major questions Thursday (July 7) about the Supreme Court’s recent 6-3 decision stripping the Environmental Protection Agency of the ability to impose major limits coal to achieve greenhouse gas emissions across the country. The Washington-based environmental think tank Resources for the Future … More Environmental lawyers weigh in on ‘major questions’
Going green isn’t going to be a walk in a pristine park. Decarbonizing the world means massive increase in the mining and extraction of minerals like lithium, nickel, and cobalt. It will also mean international tensions, and perhaps elevate the importance in the world of China, as the major processor of the mineral ores. That’s … More Green energy transition blind spots
Don’t look to the oldest non-carbon electric generating technology, and currently the leading green power generation, to make a significant contribution to meeting the global goal of keeping world temperatures from increasing beyond 1.5 degrees. In a new report, the International Hydropower Association (IHA) says waterpower is not on the path to meeting that goal. … More Hydro pessimism about contribution to 1.5 degrees