A Free-Market Energy Blog

Vogtle Plant: Nuclear Power’s Failed Renaissance

By Jim Clarkson -- January 6, 2016

“The renaissance has gone bad. Nuclear power is repeating the construction cost disaster of the previous round of such building in the 1970s and 1980s.”

“The advanced designs and refined techniques [at Plant Vogtle] resulted in a mess of continuing cost overruns and schedule delays.  Now Georgia Power says all the problems are to be expected in a first-of-kind project.”

Buzz Miller, executive vice president for nuclear development at Georgia Power, wrote in the Atlanta Journal Constitution back in 2010 (September 16) in regards to his company’s Plant Vogtle nuclear expansion:

“The lessons learned at home and abroad have paved the way for a new generation of U.S. nuclear power plants that feature advanced designs, refined construction techniques, early engagement by state public service commissions, and licensing process geared to a mature technology.”

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Is Solar Really Renewable–and Free?

By Roy Cordato -- January 5, 2016

“It is time to stop referring to solar power as ‘renewable’ or ‘free.’ The reality is that these descriptions have no practical meaning and only serve to obfuscate the true nature of solar energy as a source of electricity. Ultimately these are propaganda words invoked by special interests in the renewable energy industry whose purpose is to color the political debate about energy policy in favor of subsidies and special privileges foisted upon taxpayers and utility customers.”

“… it is solar power’s lack of renewability when actually needed that makes it so expensive as compared to [fossil fuels].”

The answers to the two title questions are, except in the most trivial sense, no and no.

Renewable?

Solar energy is said to be renewable because, as one source puts it, it is “naturally replenished.”…

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AWED Energy & Environmental Newsletter: January 4, 2016

By -- January 4, 2016

The Alliance for Wise Energy Decisions (AWED) is an informal coalition of individuals and organizations interested in improving national, state, and local energy and environmental policies. Our premise is that technical matters like these should be addressed by using Real Science (please consult WiseEnergy.org for more information).

A key element of AWED’s efforts is public education. Towards that end, every three weeks we put together a newsletter to balance what is found in the mainstream media about energy and the environment. We appreciate MasterResource for their assistance in publishing this information.

Some of the more interesting articles in this issue are:

Extensive information on Wind Turbine Noise

How to Talk to Anyone about Energy

Thorcon: Cheap, Reliable, CO-2 Energy Now

Wind Energy PILOTS Should Have To Pass a Benefits Test

The specifics of two NC wind project lawsuits: here & here

NC Uses Unique Tactic Against EPA Energy Rule

Climate Change Solutions Must Prove Effectiveness

Why Renewables Will Not Play A Significant Role with Climate Change

Climate Change: Not Science and Not Settled

The Most Comprehensive Assault on “Global Warming” Ever

America We Have a Problem

Only 3% of all CO2 is due to human activities

Study: Are Claimed Greenhouse Gas Emissions Accurate?

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Happy Holidays from MasterResource

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- December 25, 2015
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Happy Holidays from MasterResource

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- December 24, 2015
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Happy Holidays from MasterResource

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- December 23, 2015
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Good News! ‘EPA critics throw down gauntlet in legal fight’ (E&E Greenwire on the fight ahead)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- December 22, 2015
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Three Cheers for Holiday Lighting!

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- December 21, 2015
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Wind Cronyism Wins; We Lose

By -- December 17, 2015
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‘Global Warming: Irrational Assumptions and Speculation’: 2007 and Today

By Charles Battig -- December 16, 2015
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