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Non-Tech : Alternative energy -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Yogizuna who wrote (1611)	3/16/2005 1:03:23 AM
From: Mark Fleming	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 16955

Don't be afraid Festus.

To: Yogizuna who wrote (1611)	3/16/2005 6:42:45 AM
From: Rock_nj	Respond to of 16955

Good news on nuclear energy, but more is needed As a nuclear engineer who is concerned about possible global climate change, allegedly brought about by human activities, I am encouraged by President Bush's commitment to nuclear power. In his State of the Union address, President Bush called for more U.S. energy production, including "safe, clean nuclear energy." Recent developments reflect America's commitment to make more use of nuclear power. u Instead of shutting down nuclear plants after reaching their 40th anniversary, virtually all of the 103 operating U.S. nuclear power plants are expected to apply for 20-year license renewals. To date, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has renewed the operating licenses of 30 plants. u In three states -- Virginia, Illinois and Mississippi -- nuclear plant operators have applied to the NRC for "early site approval," which would give them approval to build on previously reviewed and approved sites when they place an order for a new nuclear plant. u Reforms in the licensing process now enable companies to obtain a combined construction permit and operating license for new nuclear power plants, thereby preventing unnecessary delays and establishing consistency and predictability before companies commit substantial resources for new nuclear plants. The Department of Energy is sharing in the cost of obtaining regulatory approval of the first new plants. u Two leading reactor manufacturers -- General Electric and Westinghouse -- say they will share the financial risks of building new nuclear plants with prospective nuclear plant owners. u The NRC has issued "design certifications" for three advanced next-generation nuclear power plants and another design is in the final certification process. These plants will be simpler and cheaper to build, with some relying on gravity, rather than electric-driven pumps, for emergency cooling of the reactors. Another reactor design uses helium as a cooling agent, instead of water, and would be capable of producing hydrogen. On the drawing board or under regulatory review are other innovative designs. All this activity shows that as a nation, we're moving methodically toward the next round of nuclear plants, to meet our growing demand for electrical energy without adding to the volume of greenhouse gases released into the environment. But if nuclear power is to reach its potential, the government must continue to play an important role. Because nuclear plants have high up-front capital construction costs, policy incentives are needed to jump-start construction of the first few advanced nuclear plants. As an example, the government could enhance the prospects for a new plant and address the financing concerns by allowing recovery of part of the investment cost during the construction period or by providing credit for the plant's reduction in carbon releases to the atmosphere. It is likely that a new nuclear power plant will be owned by a consortium of electrical companies. This joint ownership would reduce the financial risk of building the first plant, and the nuclear industry is taking steps to make this happen. In fact, three consortia are preparing to apply for new nuclear plant licenses, in part to demonstrate and refine the NRC's new reactor licensing process. By itself, nuclear power cannot achieve the entire reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions. We also need to stimulate the production of every carbon-free energy source -- wind turbines, photovoltaic solar arrays and geothermal power. And we must improve the energy efficiency of homes and office buildings, while raising the fuel-economy standards for automobiles and other vehicles. But we can't rely on jawboning the public to sacrifice their lifestyle, or pipe dreams about energy sources that can contribute only marginally to the vast amounts of energy our economy needs. The solution is one we're pursuing: An emphasis on a proven, reliable technology that can provide massive amounts of electricity, affordably, with no greenhouse emissions. Fortunately, there is a growing mood in this country against the muddled thinking that's held back genuine progress in clean electric energy production. Increasingly, there is evidence that we will meet the challenges head-on and with greater success than in the past. Forrest J. Remick is professor of nuclear engineering emeritus and associate vice president for research emeritus at Penn State, and retired commissioner, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The opinion of the columnist does not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of the university. centredaily.com