Welcome to your Friday Rundown for the week ending August 11. Don’t let the dog days of summer prevent your feedback at info@clearpathaction.org.
WHAT SHOULD POLICYMAKERS LEARN FROM V.C. SUMMER?
The sudden suspension of the V.C. Summer nuclear plant under construction in South Carolina last week came as a surprise to many in the nuclear industry. One of only two nuclear power plants under construction in the United States, V.C. Summer would have provided 2.2 GW of zero carbon electricity for 60 to 80 years, as well as almost 1,000 direct-hire permanent jobs.
But it does not signal the death of nuclear.
ClearPath Executive Director Rich Powell and resident nuclear expert Spencer Nelson have laid out three clear lessons that can be drawn to help Congress, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, utilities, state regulators and others support future advanced reactor development.
ClearPath Founder Jay Faison laid out a prescient warning this past March. In a single timeline, Jay describes the history of nuclear (and one of U.S. industrial innovation) and explains how it’s now or never for the U.S. to continue its dominance.
Clean and reliable baseload power is really important. And really complicated. But don’t worry, we have you covered. Our Energy 101 series is designed to assist even the busiest layperson in gaining an elementary grasp of the byzantine world of conservative clean energy. Check out our initial list of short introductions to what’s happening with energy innovation, carbon capture, nuclear, hydropower and natural gas. Want to dig in even more? Check back for upcoming Energy 201, 301 and more advanced content that can take you further towards becoming a true expert.
NEWS NUGGETS
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said he is talking to companies such as Duke Energy, Southern Power and Dominion Energy about buying all or part of the state-run Santee Cooper utility, the Post and Courier reported. Such a sale could raise the money needed to keep alive construction of the V.C. Summer nuclear reactors. McMaster is considering several options raising the money needed to complete at least one of the two new reactors, the Wall Street Journal reported.
FERC once again officially has a working quorum for the first time since early February after GOP commissioners Rob Powelson and Neil Chatterjee were sworn in this week. Chatterjee has also replaced Democratic commissioner Cheryl LaFleur as acting FERC chair. FERC on Sept. 20 will hold its first open meeting since January.
Two national labs – Oak Ridge and Brookhaven – are looking to collectively cut more than 500 jobs over the next months. That includes up to 350 at Oak Ridge, the Knoxville News Sentinel reported. Another 175 jobs could be cut at Brookhaven, according to Newsday.
