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First New Nuclear Reactor In a Decade On Track

Posted by kdawson on from the give-me-the-warm-power-of-the-sun dept.

dusty writes "Plans to bring online the first new US nuclear plant since 1995 are on track, on time, and on budget according to the Tennessee Valley Authority. TVA had one major accident with a coal ash spill of late, and one minor one. The agency has plans and workers in place to have Unit 2 at Watts Bar, near Knoxville, online by 2012. Currently over 1,800 workers are doing construction at the plant. Watts Bar #1 is the only new nuclear reactor added to the grid in the last 25 years. From the article: 'TVA estimates the Watts Bar Unit 2 reactor every year will avoid the emission of about 60 million metric tons of greenhouse emissions linked with global warming. ... TVA began construction of Watts Bar in 1973, but work was suspended in 1988 when TVA's growth in power sales declined. After mothballing the unit for 19 years, TVA's board decided in 2007 to finish the reactor because it is projected to provide cheaper, no carbon-emitting power compared with the existing coal plants or purchased power it may help replace.'"

2 of 575 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Meh by bill_kress · · Score: 0, Redundant

    I understand all the listed reasons (and don't disagree with them), but none of that inspires me with the passion to advocate (and in fact, I still think they are fairly dangerous in the wrong hands--and I can think of no wronger hands than a corporation interested in profits, we've all seen what damage they are willing to do in the name of profits)

    So do you have the same passion for all green issues? I mean, this isn't something you can do anything about (beyond advocating) so even if you were fully , but do you drive an electric car with solar panels on your house? Are you adamant about recycling?

    I only ask because although the green motivation is logical, it doesn't usually seem to motivate the same type of person. In fact, many who are constantly green are not behind nuclear power even knowing the environmental benefits.

    Perhaps I should be more excited and motivated about it and I'm confused why I'm not.

    Sometimes I think it might be seeing the future in a certain way (through sci-fi?) and being disappointed that we can't seem to get there (this bugs me a little at times). Or perhaps they believe that this will actually save them an amazing amount of money somehow--which I can't see, it's not like gas stations lower their prices when oil gets cheaper, they just make more money.

  2. Re:Less radioactive waste, too by Waffle+Iron · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Ok, then. If my post doesn't satisfy your need for proof, I invite you go turn it into a real experiment and see what happens.