“End Nuclear Insanity Before Nuclear Insanity Ends Humanity”
MAR 5, 2024
LLAW’s CONCERNS & COMMENTS, Tuesday, (03/05/2024)
I have posted the following article article from the “Office of Nuclear Energy” only to further demonstrate that the government and nuclear energy corporations and their representatives and propagandists don’t care about the absolute insanity of replacing ‘black lung’ from coal plant workers with radioactive poisoning from nuclear plant workers. It’s a great idea that we shut down all carbon reeking non-renewable coal, oil, and natural gas power plants, but they should always be replaced with solar, wind, hydro, and geo-thermal renewable resources. Nuclear replacement is equal to insanity.
Not one single word in this article expresses the idea that there may be far more risk to workers and surrounding communities that, given a nuclear accident, could destroy life in all of these ‘surrounding’ communities. This very situation is at the forefront of the lives of millions of Ukrainian and other eastern countries right now, and the situation there concerning the prevention of a massive meltdown of the Zaporizhia NPP still without back up power – Nuclear Engineering International concerning a potential tragedy far worse that Chernobyl that last week the world(s) had been led to believe that the power grid failure for lie-saving incoming power to the nuclear power plant had been successfully resolved. It appears now that that news story was in error:
The lead-in to the current situation begins like this … emergency diesel generators. In the history of nuclear energy, this is an unprecedented situation and clearly not sustainable.
The purpose of my nightly “LLAW’s All Things Nuclear” report and daily categoirzed nuclear headlines is to keep humanity abreast of how dangerous ‘all things nuclear’ are, and for me “The Office of Nuclear Energy” is seriously at fault for not bothering to mention the absolute ongoing danger of nuclear power plants, while at the same time telling the world(s) that a switch from coal to nuclear power will make a more healthy environment for long-suffering coal miners. Not only is that not true, it is intentionally written propaganda among others in the article that you can read for yourself, including the “buzz- phrase” that nobody can understand, but it sounds really good — the change to nuclear will help us reach “net-zero emissions by 2050”, which is another bit of nuclear propaganda and does not even mean what it seems to indicate. What it essentially means is that the CO2 (global warming/ climate change problem will still exist, but “should not” get any worse. The use of the term is laughable.
Office of Nuclear Energy
8 Things to Know About Converting Coal Plants to Nuclear Power
MARCH 5, 2024
- Office of Nuclear Energy
- 8 Things to Know About Converting Coal Plants to Nuclear Power
Nearly 30% of the nation’s coal-fired power plants are projected to retire by 2035 as states continue to prioritize a shift toward cleaner energy sources.
But with power demands expected to rise due to the electrification of more cars, appliances, and processes, something must help fill the void.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) projects we’ll need an additional 200 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear capacity to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 and some of that could take place at or near retiring coal plants — creating new job and economic opportunities for these energy communities.
Here are 8 things you should know about transitioning coal stations to nuclear power plants.
1. The Majority of U.S. Coal Plants Could Be Converted
A 2022 DOE report found that more than 300 existing and retired coal power plant sites are suitable to host advanced nuclear power plants. Each plant could match the size of the site being converted and help increase nuclear capacity by more than 250 GW—nearly tripling its current capacity of 95 GW.
2. Coal to Nuclear Transitions Could Preserve and Create New Jobs
According to the same study, employment in the region associated with an incoming nuclear plant could increase by more than 650 permanent jobs spread across the plant, supply chain, and surrounding community. Occupations seeing the largest gains include nuclear engineers, security guards, and nuclear technicians.
The plants could also leverage the existing coal plant workforce in the community to help transition their current skills and knowledge to work in nuclear energy with wages that are typically 50% higher than those of other energy sources.
3. Converting Coal Plants to Nuclear Could Drive Economic Growth
The study also indicates that long-term job impacts of a converted coal to nuclear power plant could lead to additional annual economic activity of $275 million. This includes a 92% increase in tax revenue from the new nuclear plant for the local county when compared to prior tax revenue from a coal plant.
These tax payments would also increase the amount of money available to improve local schools, infrastructure projects, and public services.
Additional benefits would also be distributed throughout the community as the wages from good-paying nuclear energy jobs lead to increased household spending. Local businesses may also benefit as suppliers of goods and services in support of plant operations, while others may benefit from increased household spending in the community.
4. Coal to Nuclear Transitions Could Bring Environmental Benefits
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, coal plants account for 20% of the nation’s total energy-related carbon dioxide emissions.
Replacing unabated coal combustion with fission, a physical process that doesn’t emit carbon, would dramatically reduce green gas emissions in the energy sector. It would also directly improve the air quality in the region by avoiding other harmful byproducts produced by fossil fuel plants that are linked to asthma, lung cancer, and heart diseases — helping to improve the over health of the community.
5. Converting Coal Plants to Nuclear Could Save on New Construction Costs
The DOE report also found that new nuclear power plants could save up to 35% on construction costs depending on how much of the existing site assets could be repurposed from retired coal power plants.
These assets include the existing land, the coal plant’s electrical equipment (transmission connection, switchyard, etc.) and civil infrastructure, such as roads and buildings.
6. Many States are Considering a Coal to Nuclear Transitions
More than 10 states have expressed interest in coal to nuclear transitions.
Interest in repurposing coal sites is growing.
TerraPower plans to build its Natrium reactor near a retiring coal plant in Kemmerer, WY with funding support from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
In addition to Wyoming, 10 other states have publicly expressed interest in repurposing their coal sites with nuclear energy. These states include: Arizona, Colorado, Kentucky, Maryland, Montana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin.
The interest level varies from state to state and comes from different stakeholders such as state and local governments, transition planning groups, economic development agencies, and community members.
7. Coal to Nuclear Transitions Help Ensure Communities are Not Left Behind
Siting new nuclear power plants in coal communities is one way of ensuring that coal power plant workers and their communities are supported as their power plants retire.
In January 2021, the Biden-Harris administration signed an executive order to create an Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities and Economic Revitalization.
This initiative honors the coal, oil, natural gas, and power plant workers and communities who have been essential to the growth of the United States. It also ensures that none of these workers or communities are left behind as the U.S. transitions to clean energy sources.
8. There is Help to Prepare for Coal to Nuclear Transitions
The Department’s Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) is conducting three feasibility studies to assess different aspects of repurposing coal power plant sites with nuclear power.
These studies are specific to the community and utility being studied but have been written with the idea that other potential transitions sites will be able to gain some insight.
The studies will hopefully be seen as a jumping off point for similar situated coal sites as they enter their own energy transition journey.
The GAIN team can also provide assistance to communities around the country as they consider advanced nuclear in their energy transitions.
This assistance can include providing information about nuclear energy plants, transition opportunities, and connecting communities to potential funding opportunities through the interagency working group.
Qualifying communities could also apply for technical assistance through DOE’s Communities LEAP program to help shift away from their historical reliance on fossil fuels. GAIN also supports public meetings, group work sessions, and strategizing forums in communities to help them learn more about the energy transition process.
If you are interested in working with our GAIN team please email GAINTechAssist@inl.gov
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ABOUT THE FOLLOWING ACCESS TO “LLAW’S ALL THINGS NUCLEAR” RELATED MEDIA:
There are 6 categories, including a bonus non-nuclear category for news about the Yellowstone caldera and other volcanic and caldera activity around the world that play an important role in humanity’s lives, as do ‘all things nuclear’ for you to pick from, usually with up to 3 links in each category about the most important media stories in each category, but sometimes fewer and occasionally even none (especially so with the Yellowstone Caldera). The Categories are listed below in their usual order:
- All Things Nuclear
- Nuclear Power
- Nuclear War
- Nuclear Power Emergencies
- Nuclear War Threats
- Yellowstone Caldera (There are three Yellowstone Caldera bonus stories available in tonight’s Post.)
Whenever there is an underlined link to a Category media news story, if you press or click on the link provided, you no longer have to cut and paste to your web browser, since this Post’s link will take you directly to the article in your browser.
A current Digest of major nuclear media headlines with automated links is listed below by nuclear Category (per above). If a category heading does not appear, it means there was no news reported from this category today. There are three Yellowstone Caldera bonus stories available tonight.
(A reminder, just in case: When linked, the access to the media story will be underlined. If there is no link to a media story of interest you can still copy and paste the headline and lead line into your browser to find the article you are seeking. Hopefully this will never happen.)
TODAY’S NUCLEAR WORLD’S NEWS (03/05/2024):
All Things Nuclear
NEWS
Skyrocketing cost of US nuclear missile program spurs reckoning | The Hill
The Hill
“We have squeezed about all the life we can out of the systems we currently possess,” said now-retired Air Force Gen. Paul Selva in 2017. Moore …
Putin threatens nuclear war over Ukraine support: potential targets include Louisiana
Audacy
“Everything they are inventing now, spooking the world with the threat of a conflict involving nuclear weapons, which potentially means the end of …
Treasurer slams Opposition’s ‘nuclear fantasy’ proposal – YouTube
YouTube
… all, is it any wonder they failed for a decade on energy policy when … Judge Jeanine: Things are bad for ‘The Big Guy’. Fox News New 211K views · 6 …
Nuclear Power
NEWS
Russia says it is considering putting a nuclear power plant on the moon with China | Reuters
Reuters
Russia and China are considering putting a nuclear power plant on the moon from 2033-35, Yuri Borisov, the head of Russia’s space agency Roscosmos …
8 Things to Know About Converting Coal Plants to Nuclear Power | Department of Energy
Department of Energy
A 2022 DOE report found that more than 300 existing and retired coal power plant sites are suitable to host advanced nuclear power plants. Each …
International Atomic Energy Agency director says he’s heading to Moscow for talks on … – PBS
PBS
Grossi visited Ukraine in February, and crossed the front line to visit the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in person as part of the IAEA’s efforts …
Nuclear War
NEW
North Korea threatens ‘consequences’ as South Korea and US stage latest round of military drills
The Independent
North Korean officials warn ‘nuclear war may be ignited even with a spark’
US-NATO risks nuclear war with plans for attacks on Russia – World Socialist Web Site
WSWS
… war escalating toward a nuclear exchange with Russia. “Bowing to Putin’s Nuclear Blackmail Will Make Nuclear War More Likely,” Peter Dickinson of …
International Atomic Energy Agency director says he’s heading to Moscow for talks on … – PBS
PBS
… nuclear war. Grossi last met with Putin in October 2022. Grossi visited Ukraine in February, and crossed the front line to visit the Zaporizhzhia …
Nuclear Power Emergencies
NEWS
As many nuclear reactors sit idle, inexperienced workforce grows | The Asahi Shimbun
asahi.com
… electric power companies have no experience in running a reactor, let alone dealing with a nuclear emergency. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is …
Zaporizhia NPP still without back up power – Nuclear Engineering International
Nuclear Engineering International
… emergency diesel generators. In the history of nuclear energy, this is an unprecedented situation and clearly not sustainable. I remain extremely …
Eskom Koeberg nuclear power station conducts full-volume siren tests: What you need to know
MSN
This test, conducted as part of the station’s emergency preparedness plan, will encompass areas including Atlantis, Duynefontein, Melkbosstrand, Van …
Nuclear War Threats
NEW
North Korea threatens ‘consequences’ as South Korea and US stage latest round of military drills
The Independent
South Korea and the US kicked off their large military exercise on Monday to display joint readiness against increasing threats of a nuclear attack …
US-NATO risks nuclear war with plans for attacks on Russia – World Socialist Web Site
WSWS
… war by the threat of a nuclear exchange. The deliberate use of tactical and strategic nuclear weapons—which was rejected for decades as synonymous …
Russia Wargaming Scenario of ‘Global Attack‘ from Land, Air and Sea – Newsweek
Newsweek
… nuclear threats against Kyiv’s allies, raising speculation about Vladimir Putin’s imperial ambitions. The article reported by Russian state media …
Yellowstone Caldera
NEWS
Can supervolcanoes cause a major cooling? – EarthSky
EarthSky
It looks peaceful now, but this valley in Yellowstone is part of an ancient volcanic caldera (collapsed volcanic dome) that erupted in a supervolcano …
Montana Cities With the Homes at Highest Risk of Wildfire – Newstalk KGVO
Newstalk KGVO
The exception of course, is activity related to the Yellowstone Caldera. READ MORE: Don’t Be Here During a Powerful Earthquake in Montana. As far …
Resident Alien Season 3, Episode 4 Preview: Release Date, Time & Where to Watch
High On Films
Harry infiltrates The Greys’ headquarters, uncovering their plans to manipulate Yellowstone’s caldera for their own sinister purposes. His …