Green World Blog
News, views & musings for our nuclear-free, carbon-free future
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This is going to be awesome
There are just four days left until the historic People’s Climate March in New York City Sunday, September 21. It will be awesome–and that’s a word I don’t use very often. The momentum for the Nuclear-Free, Carbon-Free Contingent is stunning; this Contingent is going to be awesome too. We’ve got 650 bright yellow with shining…
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Burns, Baran approved as NRC Commissioners over GOP objections
Sen. Reid vows this passage to Yucca Mountain will never be used. Will Steve Burns and Jeff Baran ensure this door will remain closed? President Obama’s two appointees to the NRC were confirmed by the full Senate yesterday on near-party line votes. Jeff Baran, a former top energy aide to California Democratic Rep. Henry Waxman,…
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What does Southern Co.’s CEO know that we don’t?
Southern Company CEO Thomas Fanning (left) selling former DOE Secretary Chu on the wonders of Vogtle, 2012. The question of the day is what does Southern Company CEO Thomas Fanning know that the rest of the world doesn’t? The question arises because on September 5th, Fanning sold nearly all his stock in Southern Company, more…
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UBS: It’s time to join the (solar) revolution
UBS: the falling costs of solar power and battery storage combined with increasing use of electric vehicles means the end of large power plants–faster than you might think. Already this year we’ve reported on several major investment banks and analysts that argue the future is solar power. First there was Goldman Sachs (Goldman Sachs sees…
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NRC approves radwaste rule; ends reactor licensing moratorium. Magwood phones it in.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commissioners today approved its controversial replacement for its “waste confidence” rule that was slapped down in 2012 by a federal court and also approved a resumption of new reactor licensing and license renewal activities. The new replacement rule essentially gives up on the notion of “confidence” that a permanent high-level radioactive waste…
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Former top NRC inspector says shut Diablo Canyon
The Diablo Canyon reactors near San Luis Obispo, California The big news today is that the former top Nuclear Regulatory Commission on-site inspector at the Diablo Canyon reactors, Michael Peck, has recommended to the NRC that those reactors be shut down until their ability to withstand earthquakes is fully assessed. The weekend’s earthquake in the…
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Is NRC rushing critical vote for Magwood?
NRC Commissioner William Magwood ‘s term is ending in controversy–of course. Why is the Nuclear Regulatory Commission seemingly rushing its critical vote on its new radioactive waste policy? This isn’t just routine Commission business. It’s a key vote that will clear the way for resumption of licensing activities for both new reactors and license renewals.…
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We’re going all out for the climate march
NIRS–and some 800 other organizations–are going all out this weekend to build support for the September 21, 2014 People’s Climate March in New York City. It’s a coordinated effort, so don’t be surprised if you see multiple March appeals in your inbox, on your Facebook page, in your Twitter feed, and maybe even flyers at…
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NRG spars with Exelon over uneconomic reactors, carbon rule
There are two GE Mark I reactors in one building at Exelon’s uneconomic Quad Cities site. Hearings begin today before the Illinois Commerce Commission on what will become a pivotal battle over the future of nuclear power–not only in Illinois, but across the nation. That’s because the hearings will ultimately lead to legislation that likely…
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Nuclear construction delays cost real money
We don’t get tired of showing this photo, taken May 22, 2014, of construction of the Summer reactors–indicating just how far construction still has to go…. That didn’t take long. On Tuesday, we reported that SCANA announced at least a year’s delay in the construction of its Summer reactors. Apparently all the money from those…
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