Illinois nuclear shutdown threatened
Source: Herald-Review
Chicago-based Exelon Nuclear has said it will be forced to close its Clinton Power Station, along with shuttering similar plants in Ogle County and Rock Island, if the state doesn't come up with policy changes to make the stations more profitable.
Exelon has said the energy marketplace of today is unfair because its stations are having to compete with alternate power sources, such as wind energy, which enjoy tax breaks. And it said the nuclear plants deserve some sort of financial incentive for generating clean power that doesn't produce the carbon dioxide emissions that coal stations send up their smokestacks.
Exelon said it won't start making any decisions on the fate of Clinton and the other power plants until June and might be willing to wait longer if it sees lawmakers striving to come up with a legislative solution.
But Bill Stoermer, a senior site communications manager based at Exelon's Quad Cities Generating Station, said the nuclear clock is ticking.
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Read more: http://herald-review.com/news/local/illinois-nuclear-shutdown-threatened/article_79b16ed2-b365-5f6f-9512-fdd1d40c4bc3.html
It's time to shut them down.
on point
(2,506 posts)Cryptoad
(8,254 posts)less regulating,,, everybody knows that eats that profit up!
former9thward
(31,805 posts)on point
(2,506 posts)former9thward
(31,805 posts)In the mean time millions of Chicagoans will freeze to death since their source of power was eliminated.
on point
(2,506 posts)In a few years they have replaced traditional sources. Problem isn't technology, but commitment, and ignoring the the voices of the shills that keep pushing nuclear and coal. Fact is renewables have a much quicker build cycle
bananas
(27,509 posts)Illinois report says Exelon nuclear straits not so dire
Posted on 01/08/2015 by Kari Lydersen
Has Exelon been crying wolf?
Or should the state intervene to help the Chicago-based corporations nuclear plants prevent closures that could hurt the economy and endanger the electric supply?
A 269-page report created by four Illinois state agencies and released Wednesday sheds light on these questions. The multi-faceted findings defy clear conclusions, but they generally support the idea that Illinois can weather nuclear plant closures; and such shut-downs could even bolster clean energy generation and jobs.
Exelon critics say the report is vindication, showing the company is not in crisis or deserving of government bailouts.
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BillZBubb
(10,650 posts)I'd be willing to bet a large sum the these nuclear plants have received enormous amounts of tax breaks in their lifetime. Those were no doubt given in an effort to help nuclear with startup costs that made it difficult to compete with traditional power sources.
Equally of little doubt is that the recipients of these breaks promised cheap energy well into the future in return for the aid.
Now the shoe is on the other foot and takers are whining for more from the public.
Demeter
(85,373 posts)because no sane private insurance company would give them the time of day.
jwirr
(39,215 posts)SnakeEyes
(1,407 posts)because what you proposed is what I want someday but alternative energies can't effectively meet the demand that these existing plants meet... yet
jwirr
(39,215 posts)SnakeEyes
(1,407 posts)is not shutting down energy production that people need when you don't have something that can go online and replace what was shut down right away.
enough
(13,237 posts)rosesaylavee
(12,126 posts)and would prefer a cap and trade as they (and others) could still pollute under cap/trade.
We need a carbon tax for polluters. Tax them at the source, put a price on what we taxpayers are paying otherwise in health and environmental cleanup and we will have a different, more efficient energy system pronto.
Republican idea to let the market decide... I agree with that in this case. If alternative energy costs less, well, that sends a message doesn't it?
Another Republican idea - put a price on Carbon. Let's do that. Strangely, since Citizens United, campaign funding says they can't even acknowledge there is a problem with the Climate let alone we are staring Peak Oil in the face.
NickB79
(19,114 posts)Trading nuclear waste for fracked water supplies, earthquakes, and fugitive methane releases.
raging moderate
(4,281 posts)Every Democrat NEEDS to read Ayn Rand's book "Atlas Shrugged," if you haven't already done so. It would also be good to read her other major book, "The Fountainhead." However, this ploy comes straight out of the pages of "Atlas Shrugged," in which the poor suffering Billionaires of the world lose their patience with their abusive underlings and go on a sort of strike. And then, after a time, the nasty uppity underlings realize that they really CAN'T run the world and they NEED their Wonderful Overlord Billionaires. And they all cry and apologize and PROMISE not to question the august decisions of the Ubermenschen. No matter what. Probably all these Billionaires have read this book. Most of them probably sleep with it at night.
A Simple Game
(9,214 posts)Mnemosyne
(21,363 posts)AndyTiedye
(23,500 posts)Nuclear power is a losing proposition all around.
former9thward
(31,805 posts)AndyTiedye
(23,500 posts)Solar and Wind power are cleaner, safer, and more cost-effective.
If you don't believe me, believe General Electric. They were one of the pioneers of commercial nuclear power, and today they're putting their money in solar.
Germany is rapidly phasing out its nuclear power plants in favor of renewables.
The worst that can happen to a windmill or a solar panel if there is an earthquake is that it falls down. It does not melt down and spew radiation forever after, like Fukushima.
Of course it is even better not to use so much electricity in the first place. Much can be saved by upgrading lighting, electronics, and appliances to be more energy-efficient.
NickB79
(19,114 posts)You can Goole all about it, seeing as their CO2 emissions have gone up over the past few years since they shut down a few of their reactors.
Demeter
(85,373 posts)Buddy, you are in the buggy whip business. Tough luck. Love, Detroit!
2naSalit
(86,071 posts)cstanleytech
(26,085 posts)And Exelon can take their threats and shove it up their ass.
whereisjustice
(2,941 posts)elleng
(130,156 posts)About damn time these hazardous/environmentally dangerous guys joined the rest of the world! Energy marketplace 'unfair?' TYPICAL! Sound like repugs! Blame 'others.'
Sienna86
(2,147 posts)Let everyone get solar.
murielm99
(30,657 posts)I can see the Ogle County nuclear plant from my front windows.
Shut it down. I would rather see wind generators from my front windows. Exelon has extorted this county for tax breaks for many years. I have been to some of the county board meetings and hearings where they beg for more breaks. They try to make it just complicated enough so the average citizen does not understand what is being said. Our board, top-heavy with repubbies, has gone along with them too many times.
I believe Rauner will try to give them what they want. Let's see if the Democratic legislature in this state will let him.
snooper2
(30,151 posts)probably double that doubt you have the sustained winds we get in Texas
murielm99
(30,657 posts)and windmills are a common sight. It can be done.
In fact, we are in talks with a company right now about putting windmills on some farm property we own not far from our house.
davsand
(13,420 posts)I could be wrong about this, but I think I remember hearing that Clinton has never run at full capacity. Would it matter if it WAS shut down? Living East of there, with a prevailing west wind pattern, I don't think it's much of a loss if it isn't safe to run...
Laura
DeSwiss
(27,137 posts)K&R
Just say NO to corporate welfare.....
closeupready
(29,503 posts)Telcontar
(660 posts)What's the word for "nationalize" when one of the States does it?
madokie
(51,076 posts)with the promise that it was a good safe cheap way to produce electricity. Not a fucking one of those turned out to be true BTW
Octafish
(55,745 posts)By ERIC LIPTON
The New York Times, Published: August 22, 2012
WASHINGTON Early in the Obama administration, a lobbyist for the Illinois-based energy producer Exelon Corporation proudly called it the presidents utility. And it was not just because it delivers power to Barack Obamas Hyde Park neighborhood in Chicago.
Exelons top executives were early and frequent supporters of Mr. Obama as he rose from the Illinois State Senate to the White House. John W. Rogers Jr., a friend of the presidents and one of his top fund-raisers, is an Exelon board member. David Axelrod, Mr. Obamas longtime political strategist, once worked as an Exelon consultant, and Rahm Emanuel, the Chicago mayor and Mr. Obamas former chief of staff, helped create the company through a corporate merger in 2000 while working as an investment banker.
With energy an increasingly pivotal issue for the Obama White House, a review of Exelons relationship with the administration shows how familiarity has helped foster access at the upper reaches of government and how, in some cases, the outcome has been favorable for Exelon.
White House records show that Exelon executives were able to secure an unusually large number of meetings with top administration officials at key moments in the consideration of environmental regulations that have been drafted in a way that hurt Exelons competitors, but curb the high cost of compliance for Exelon and its industry allies.
In addition, Exelon, which provides power to more than 6.6 million customers in at least 16 states and the District of Columbia, was chosen as one of only six electric utilities nationwide for the maximum $200 million stimulus grant from the Energy Department. And when the Treasury Department granted loans for renewable energy projects, Exelon landed a commitment for up to $646 million allowing it, on extremely generous financial terms, to finance one of the worlds largest photovoltaic solar projects.
Exelons seemingly easy access to top administration officials has hardly gone unnoticed among competitors.
CONTINUED...
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/23/us/politics/ties-to-obama-aided-in-access-for-exelon-corporation.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
Nukes are money in the bank.