“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.”

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?…

…

A rare bit of reassuring news came my way from the Washington, D.C. news front regarding climate/energy policy yesterday. It came from the title of an article in Greenwire by Robin Bravender, “EPA critics throw down gauntlet in legal fight.”

Hurray. A real fight. Principal over pragmatism.

Not that the author is very sympathetic to the cause of free-market energy and carbon dioxide fertilization from non-priced CO2, but just straight reporting of what is likely to be exposed as administrative overreach.

The article (subscription required) begins:

The many foes of U.S. EPA’s Clean Power Plan are preparing to attack the Obama administration on a host of legal fronts as the court battle over the embattled rule gets underway. States, industries and other groups challenging the rule to clamp down on power plants’ greenhouse gas emissions laid out their legal strategies in documents sent to a federal appeals court last week.