Three Mile Island, site of 1979 nuclear accident, to close in 2019

[webfact]

Three Mile Island, site of 1979 nuclear accident, to close in 2019

By Scott DiSavino

REUTERS

 

The Three Mile Island nuclear power plant, where the U.S. suffered its most serious nuclear accident in 1979, is seen across the Susquehanna River in Middletown, Pennsylvania in this night view taken March 15, 2011. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/Files

 

(Reuters) - Pennsylvania's Three Mile Island power plant will close in 2019, forty years after it was the site of the worst nuclear accident in U.S. history, as low natural gas prices make the costs of atomic energy uncompetitive, its owner said on Tuesday.

 

The plant's name has been synonymous with public fears over the risks associated with nuclear power since the plant suffered a partial meltdown in 1979, sparking sweeping new rules for handling emergencies at nuclear sites.

 

No one died during the 1979 meltdown and a federal review found minimal health effects in the 2 million people who lived near the central Pennsylvania plant, situated about 180 miles (300 km) west of New York City.

 

Exelon Corp, the U.S. power company that owns the Middletown, Pennsylvania, power plant, said it will close by Sept. 30, 2019, unless the state adopts rules to compensate the company for benefits Exelon says nuclear power provides.

 

Chris Crane, Exelon president and CEO, in a statement urged Pennsylvania "to preserve its nuclear energy facilities and the clean, reliable energy and good-paying jobs they provide."

 

Three Mile Island employs about 675 people, produces enough electricity to power 800,000 homes and pays more than $1 million in state property taxes a year, the company said.

 

Low natural gas prices from abundant shale formations like Pennsylvania's Marcellus have helped keep power prices low for years, making it difficult for nuclear reactors to compete with gas-fired generators in deregulated power markets in the U.S. Northeast and Midwest.

 

Since 2013, the nuclear industry has shut six reactors for economic reasons before their licenses expired in California, Florida, Nebraska, Vermont and Wisconsin, and plan to shut at least six more over the next five years.

 

'CHINA SYNDROME'

 

The movie "The China Syndrome," about a fictitious near-meltdown at a California nuclear plant, came out two weeks before the real-life crisis at Three Mile Island. In the film, Jane Fonda, playing a TV reporter, says a meltdown could "render an area the size of Pennsylvania permanently uninhabitable."

 

New York and Illinois adopted rules in 2016 to provide payments to nuclear reactors to keep the units in service to help meet state carbon reduction goals and keep the jobs, taxes and fuel diversification the plants provide.

 

At least four other states are considering similar policies to provide additional revenue to keep their reactors in service, including Connecticut, New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

 

Other power generators that would benefit if the reactors shut down, however, have challenged New York and Illinois' nuclear payments in federal court, arguing the rules unfairly subsidize one fuel source in a federally administered competitive market and will boost ratepayer costs.

 

Exelon said that despite producing 93 percent of Pennsylvania's emissions-free electricity and avoiding 37 million tons of carbon emissions — the equivalent of keeping 10 million cars off the road every year — nuclear power is not included in the state's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard, which includes 16 power sources including solar, wind and hydro energy.

 

Exelon said it will take a one-time charge of $65-110 million for 2017 for the early retirement of Three Mile Island, and accelerate about $1.0-1.1 billion in depreciation and amortization through the announced shutdown date.

 

(Reporting by Scott DiSavino; Editing by Scott Malone and Howard Goller)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-05-31

[thaibeachlovers]

Every pro "man made climate change" activist should be demanding it be kept open. It will be ironic that closing it will be in favour of  fossil fuelled power stations.

If the nuclear is shut down, when gas runs out what will they do? Probably convert to coal!

For those that say "alternative power" can be used, LOL. There is no credible alternative at present to keep all those electronic toys beloved of the youth functioning.

[iReason]

1 hour ago, thaibeachlovers said:

For those that say "alternative power" can be used, LOL.

There is no credible alternative at present to keep all those electronic toys beloved of the youth functioning.

 

Do you ever research anything before you post?

 

The youth have been using this technology for sometime:

 

https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Cell-Phones-Accessories-Phone-Solar-Chargers/zgbs/wireless/2407762011

https://www.amazon.com/ALLPOWERS-Technology-Smartphone-Blackberry-Notebooks/dp/B00RFCVR62

http://www.toptenreviews.com/mobile/accessories/best-solar-phone-chargers/

https://www.voltaicsystems.com/solar-macbook-charger

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/solar-battery-charger-laptop

http://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/gadgets-tech/best-solar-chargers-for-phones-iphone-camping-a6981856.html

http://www.solarleap.org

 

And guess what?

You don't need to find a power outlet.

[thaibeachlovers]

24 minutes ago, iReason said:

 

Do you ever research anything before you post?

 

The youth have been using this technology for sometime:

 

https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Cell-Phones-Accessories-Phone-Solar-Chargers/zgbs/wireless/2407762011

https://www.amazon.com/ALLPOWERS-Technology-Smartphone-Blackberry-Notebooks/dp/B00RFCVR62

http://www.toptenreviews.com/mobile/accessories/best-solar-phone-chargers/

https://www.voltaicsystems.com/solar-macbook-charger

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/solar-battery-charger-laptop

http://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/gadgets-tech/best-solar-chargers-for-phones-iphone-camping-a6981856.html

http://www.solarleap.org

 

And guess what?

You don't need to find a power outlet.

Tell that to slum dwellers in New Delhi.

It's not all about privileged spoilt western youth.

[iReason]

32 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Tell that to slum dwellers in New Delhi.

It's not all about privileged spoilt western youth.

 

"Over the past month, organizations in two countries have reached out to SolarLEAP requesting computer hardware to realize their ambitions. Solar powered computers should soon find their way into schools in rural India."

 

"This past month has been an incredibly busy time for SolarLEAP, with forty computers being installed in the field in four different locations. In Ethiopia, installations were provided both through an on the ground installation partner, the Solar Energy Foundation, as well as two educational services providers, A-CET and Oxfam Ethiopia."

 

"Three years ago today, I arrived in Ghana with a bag full of hacked together solar powered computers, and a goal to provide computer access to as many students as possible."

http://www.solarleap.org

 

Sad to say, I was certain you woudn't even bother to click on the links.

 

"It's not all about privileged spoilt western youth."

 

Your mean-spirited warped rancor has nothing to do with it.

 

Or your weak deflection.

Edited May 31, 2017 by iReason

[graemeaylward]

I did follow the links, and solar powered computers seem an excellent idea. I have a solar powered watch and calculator and have often wondered why solar energy isn't harnessed more in nations where there is an abundance of sun! Thailand is a prime example. Last year I returned to UK after a 2 year absence and was amazed by the number of solar "farms" that seem to have sprung up all over the country. UK isn't exactly a nation noted for its high levels of sun. :-)

Sent from my Lenovo A3000-H using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[thaibeachlovers]

On ‎31‎.‎05‎.‎2017 at 5:19 PM, iReason said:

 

"Over the past month, organizations in two countries have reached out to SolarLEAP requesting computer hardware to realize their ambitions. Solar powered computers should soon find their way into schools in rural India."

 

"This past month has been an incredibly busy time for SolarLEAP, with forty computers being installed in the field in four different locations. In Ethiopia, installations were provided both through an on the ground installation partner, the Solar Energy Foundation, as well as two educational services providers, A-CET and Oxfam Ethiopia."

 

"Three years ago today, I arrived in Ghana with a bag full of hacked together solar powered computers, and a goal to provide computer access to as many students as possible."

http://www.solarleap.org

 

Sad to say, I was certain you woudn't even bother to click on the links.

 

"It's not all about privileged spoilt western youth."

 

Your mean-spirited warped rancor has nothing to do with it.

 

Or your weak deflection.

Oh goody, 40 computers for poor Indians. How many million poor Indian kids? LOL.

Now if they can banish the untouchable class system they might even be able to get a decent job.

[thaibeachlovers]

10 hours ago, graemeaylward said:

I did follow the links, and solar powered computers seem an excellent idea. I have a solar powered watch and calculator and have often wondered why solar energy isn't harnessed more in nations where there is an abundance of sun! Thailand is a prime example. Last year I returned to UK after a 2 year absence and was amazed by the number of solar "farms" that seem to have sprung up all over the country. UK isn't exactly a nation noted for its high levels of sun. :-)

Sent from my Lenovo A3000-H using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

LOL. I'm not trying to attack you, but I bought a self winding watch in the 70s. Still works perfectly.

The Chinese used abacus for centuries to do complicated calculations- no energy required other than finger power.

 

BTW, the way forward re solar is the solar roof for houses. Been talked about for decades but seems to happening now. All that is needed to make them take off is to stop power companies penalizing people for having their own solar power.

Edited June 1, 2017 by thaibeachlovers

[iReason]

10 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Oh goody, 40 computers for poor Indians. How many million poor Indian kids? LOL.

Now if they can banish the untouchable class system they might even be able to get a decent job.

 

Getting even more miserable up there in Chiang Mai are ya?

 

Perhaps pop down to the 7/11 for a hearty dinner... 

[thaibeachlovers]

6 minutes ago, iReason said:

 

Getting even more miserable up there in Chiang Mai are ya?

 

Perhaps pop down to the 7/11 for a hearty dinner... 

Nah. I'm off to Gekko Garden. Yummy.

Miserable- probably too strong a word, but I'd rather be in Pattaya.

[iReason]

Solar jobs growing 17 times faster than US economy 

President Trump may be focused on saving coal miners, but solar continues to be the hot spot in today's jobs market. (sub-title)

 

"Solar employment expanded last year 17 times faster than the total US economy, according to an International Renewable Energy Agency report published on Wednesday that cited data from the Solar Foundation."

 

"Overall, more than 260,000 people work in the solar industry, up by 24% from 2015."

 

"The solar business has benefited from the falling cost of solar energy and generous federal tax credits that make it more affordable for businesses and homeowners to install solar panels."

http://money.cnn.com/2017/05/24/news/economy/solar-jobs-us-coal/index.html?utm_content=54993324&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook

http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2017/04/14/tesla-solar-batteries-hawaii-kauai.cnnmoney/

 

[halloween]

Yeah solar is really good, while the sun is shining. And it can be extended, if you don't mind laying out thousands of dollars for batteries. in Oz, SA was the big mover to renewables, if you ignore the fact that they import fossil fuel generated power from Vic. Recently they had a big blackout, 1000's of homes involved, because on a hot night the wind dropped. I mean, who would have thought that could happen?

The answer of course is to have fossil fuel stations ready to take up the load when the uncontrolled renewable inputs decide not to co-operate. Strangely, the owners of those expensive fossil fuel generators are not real keen on having them sit there idle, earning very little, in case they are needed.

[iReason]

14 hours ago, halloween said:

Yeah solar is really good, while the sun is shining.

 

Not exactly the land of sunshine:

 

UK breaks solar energy record on sunny March weekend

Amount of electricity demanded by homes and businesses one afternoon was lower than it was during night for first time ever

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/mar/28/uk-solar-energy-march-electricity

 

Solar outstrips coal in past six months of UK electricity generation

More power came from solar panels than from Britain’s ageing coal stations from April to September this year, report shows

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/oct/04/solar-outstrips-coal-in-past-six-months-of-uk-electricity-generation

 

Solar power growth leaps by 50% worldwide thanks to US and China

UK leads Europe for solar growth despite drop in installations after government cut subsidies

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/mar/07/solar-power-growth-worldwide-us-china-uk-europe

 

US solar power employs more people than oil, coal and gas combined, report shows

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-solar-power-employs-more-people-more-oil-coal-gas-combined-donald-trump-green-energy-fossil-fuels-a7541971.html

[ballpoint]

On ‎1‎/‎06‎/‎2017 at 7:39 AM, graemeaylward said:

I did follow the links, and solar powered computers seem an excellent idea. I have a solar powered watch and calculator and have often wondered why solar energy isn't harnessed more in nations where there is an abundance of sun! Thailand is a prime example. Last year I returned to UK after a 2 year absence and was amazed by the number of solar "farms" that seem to have sprung up all over the country. UK isn't exactly a nation noted for its high levels of sun. :-)

Sent from my Lenovo A3000-H using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

 

http://newsroom.unfccc.int/clean-energy/powering-a-solar-energy-transformation-in-thailand/

 

"Solar Power Company Group is directly tackling climate change with its 36 solar farms (so far) in sunny, northeast Thailand, accounting for 250 MW of installed capacity. This translates into potential savings of 200,000 tonnes of CO2-equivilent per year compared to Thailand’s fossil-fuel driven electricity generation".

Edited June 2, 2017 by ballpoint

[halloween]

52 minutes ago, iReason said:

 

Not exactly the land of sunshine:

 

UK breaks solar energy record on sunny March weekend

Amount of electricity demanded by homes and businesses one afternoon was lower than it was during night for first time ever

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/mar/28/uk-solar-energy-march-electricity

 

Solar outstrips coal in past six months of UK electricity generation

More power came from solar panels than from Britain’s ageing coal stations from April to September this year, report shows

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/oct/04/solar-outstrips-coal-in-past-six-months-of-uk-electricity-generation

 

Solar power growth leaps by 50% worldwide thanks to US and China

UK leads Europe for solar growth despite drop in installations after government cut subsidies

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/mar/07/solar-power-growth-worldwide-us-china-uk-europe

 

US solar power employs more people than oil, coal and gas combined, report shows

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-solar-power-employs-more-people-more-oil-coal-gas-combined-donald-trump-green-energy-fossil-fuels-a7541971.html

Although the sun never set on the empire, it does on the UK - every day. You might like to read

https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/loops-and-cracks-excess-german-power-strains-europes-grids-0

http://www.habitat21.co.uk/energy98.html

http://instituteforenergyresearch.org/analysis/germanys-green-energy-destabilizing-electric-grids/

 

I wondered what the workers are doing in the solar industry. The simple answer is they are CONSTRUCTION workers being counted to make a story.