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bananas

(27,509 posts)
Sun Feb 1, 2015, 12:56 PM Feb 2015

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.

<snip>

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.
39 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Illinois nuclear shutdown threatened (Original Post) bananas Feb 2015 OP
Already had tax breaks in finance and insurance. Shut em down on point Feb 2015 #1
Sounds like they need,,, Cryptoad Feb 2015 #6
Ok, replace them with what? former9thward Feb 2015 #20
Renewables on point Feb 2015 #29
Which will take generations. former9thward Feb 2015 #30
Doesn't seem that way in places that have committed. on point Feb 2015 #31
Illinois report says Exelon nuclear straits not so dire bananas Feb 2015 #2
Nuclear extortion. BillZBubb Feb 2015 #3
The Nukes get subsidized, taxpayer-funded insurance liability coverage Demeter Feb 2015 #15
Blackmail. Shut them down and subsidize alternative energies. jwirr Feb 2015 #4
Hate to say this... SnakeEyes Feb 2015 #23
I know but we have to start somewhere. jwirr Feb 2015 #24
Right but starting somewhere SnakeEyes Feb 2015 #39
"policy changes to make the stations more profitable." How blatant can they be? (nt) enough Feb 2015 #5
Exelon is anticipating a carbon tax implemented at the state or federal level soon rosesaylavee Feb 2015 #7
! DeSwiss Feb 2015 #36
Cheap natural gas is most responsible for shutting down nuclear reactors NickB79 Feb 2015 #8
Orchestrated. Cue the new Republicon governor Rauner... raging moderate Feb 2015 #9
Gee Exelon if it is more profitable to use wind or solar, what to do, what to do? n/t A Simple Game Feb 2015 #10
Solar and wind leaks are just too expensive to repair. Oh wait. nt Mnemosyne Feb 2015 #12
Let them Shut Down AndyTiedye Feb 2015 #11
Replace with what? former9thward Feb 2015 #21
Solar, Wind, and Conservation AndyTiedye Feb 2015 #22
Germany is replacing nuclear with coal NickB79 Feb 2015 #25
"UNFAIR!" he cries Demeter Feb 2015 #13
Heh... Illinois, the extortion state. n/t 2naSalit Feb 2015 #14
Here is a solution, the state should just imminent domain the property. cstanleytech Feb 2015 #16
Tell them to go suck on a fuel rod. whereisjustice Feb 2015 #17
Imagine that, having to COMPETE! elleng Feb 2015 #18
Please shut them down. I live in Illinois. Sienna86 Feb 2015 #19
I live in Illinois, too. murielm99 Feb 2015 #26
You'll need at least 1000 windmills to get close to replacing the amount of power generated snooper2 Feb 2015 #35
We have a lot of wind power around here. murielm99 Feb 2015 #38
I'm not sure they have ever actually run Clinton at full capacity. davsand Feb 2015 #27
That's business. DeSwiss Feb 2015 #28
So shut them down, fine with me. closeupready Feb 2015 #32
If you can't run it at a profit, eminent domain 'em Telcontar Feb 2015 #33
They sold us these fucking pigs in a poke madokie Feb 2015 #34
President Obama's friends have done great things for EXELON. Octafish Feb 2015 #37

former9thward

(31,805 posts)
30. Which will take generations.
Mon Feb 2, 2015, 12:03 AM
Feb 2015

In the mean time millions of Chicagoans will freeze to death since their source of power was eliminated.

on point

(2,506 posts)
31. Doesn't seem that way in places that have committed.
Mon Feb 2, 2015, 12:14 AM
Feb 2015

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)
2. Illinois report says Exelon nuclear straits not so dire
Sun Feb 1, 2015, 01:03 PM
Feb 2015
http://www.midwestenergynews.com/2015/01/08/illinois-report-says-exelon-nuclear-straits-not-so-dire/

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 corporation’s 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.”

<snip>

BillZBubb

(10,650 posts)
3. Nuclear extortion.
Sun Feb 1, 2015, 01:03 PM
Feb 2015

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)
15. The Nukes get subsidized, taxpayer-funded insurance liability coverage
Sun Feb 1, 2015, 02:19 PM
Feb 2015

because no sane private insurance company would give them the time of day.

SnakeEyes

(1,407 posts)
23. Hate to say this...
Sun Feb 1, 2015, 05:25 PM
Feb 2015

because what you proposed is what I want someday but alternative energies can't effectively meet the demand that these existing plants meet... yet

SnakeEyes

(1,407 posts)
39. Right but starting somewhere
Mon Feb 2, 2015, 11:34 PM
Feb 2015

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.

rosesaylavee

(12,126 posts)
7. Exelon is anticipating a carbon tax implemented at the state or federal level soon
Sun Feb 1, 2015, 01:34 PM
Feb 2015

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.

raging moderate

(4,281 posts)
9. Orchestrated. Cue the new Republicon governor Rauner...
Sun Feb 1, 2015, 01:50 PM
Feb 2015

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.

AndyTiedye

(23,500 posts)
22. Solar, Wind, and Conservation
Sun Feb 1, 2015, 05:17 PM
Feb 2015

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)
25. Germany is replacing nuclear with coal
Sun Feb 1, 2015, 05:57 PM
Feb 2015

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.

cstanleytech

(26,085 posts)
16. Here is a solution, the state should just imminent domain the property.
Sun Feb 1, 2015, 02:44 PM
Feb 2015

And Exelon can take their threats and shove it up their ass.

elleng

(130,156 posts)
18. Imagine that, having to COMPETE!
Sun Feb 1, 2015, 02:55 PM
Feb 2015

About damn time these hazardous/environmentally dangerous guys joined the rest of the world! Energy marketplace 'unfair?' TYPICAL! Sound like repugs! Blame 'others.'

murielm99

(30,657 posts)
26. I live in Illinois, too.
Sun Feb 1, 2015, 05:59 PM
Feb 2015

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)
35. You'll need at least 1000 windmills to get close to replacing the amount of power generated
Mon Feb 2, 2015, 11:14 AM
Feb 2015

probably double that doubt you have the sustained winds we get in Texas

murielm99

(30,657 posts)
38. We have a lot of wind power around here.
Mon Feb 2, 2015, 05:48 PM
Feb 2015

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)
27. I'm not sure they have ever actually run Clinton at full capacity.
Sun Feb 1, 2015, 10:02 PM
Feb 2015

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)
28. That's business.
Sun Feb 1, 2015, 11:31 PM
Feb 2015
- You made a poor investment decision and now's the time for YOU to pay.

K&R




Just say NO to corporate welfare.....
 

Telcontar

(660 posts)
33. If you can't run it at a profit, eminent domain 'em
Mon Feb 2, 2015, 10:15 AM
Feb 2015

What's the word for "nationalize" when one of the States does it?

madokie

(51,076 posts)
34. They sold us these fucking pigs in a poke
Mon Feb 2, 2015, 10:30 AM
Feb 2015

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)
37. President Obama's friends have done great things for EXELON.
Mon Feb 2, 2015, 01:14 PM
Feb 2015
Ties to Obama Aided in Access for Big Utility

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 president’s utility.” And it was not just because it delivers power to Barack Obama’s Hyde Park neighborhood in Chicago.

Exelon’s 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 president’s and one of his top fund-raisers, is an Exelon board member. David Axelrod, Mr. Obama’s longtime political strategist, once worked as an Exelon consultant, and Rahm Emanuel, the Chicago mayor and Mr. Obama’s 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 Exelon’s 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 Exelon’s 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 world’s largest photovoltaic solar projects.

Exelon’s 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.
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