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| "Talent does what it can; genius does what it must. " |
| - Edward George Bulwer-Lytton (1803-1873) |
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| THINK ABOUT IT |
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| President Obama is doing everything he can to reduce and if possible curtail the use of fossil fuels in America. |
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He wants alternative energy. Solar, and wind power are at the top of his agenda even though both are extremely expensive and studies show that this kind of alternative energy would never provide more than 5% of the energy requirements of our nation.
Here in Alaska we have extremely high energy prices and geothermal, hydroelectric and wind power have all been pitched as solutions. But, what about nuclear?
A Fairbanks businessman John Reeves recently took the first step toward developing a small-scale nuclear power plant on land he owns in the town of Ester, just south of Fairbanks. Right now, he is asking the North Star Borough Planning Commission for a conditional use permit allowing a nuclear power plant on the land.
Reeves told the Petroleum News that he thinks “nuclear power is the very best energy there is. No greenhouse gases and no carbon dioxide.” He says he figures he could produce power for 4 to 8 cents per kilowatt-hour and sell the power to Golden Valley Electric Association at a profit.
And, why not? Nuclear power plants are in use by the hundreds in Europe and around the world, producing very safe, very low cost, very clean power.
Reeves, is looking specifically at a design proposed by the Santa Fe, New Mexico based company Hyperion Power Generation. The plant when certified is meant to produce 25 megawatts of electricity and to operate for five to 10 years without refueling. The company says they expect the plants to cost from $25 to $30 million each.
The City of Galena has a similar proposal for nuclear power. They propose to install a 10 megawatt reactor being developed by Toshiba Corporation and Westinghouse Electric Company. It is designed to operate for 30 years without refueling.
Nuclear power generation is a very attractive option for Alaska, especially in Bush communities where the cost of fossil fuels has gone through the roof as of late.
Government red tape and entrenched bureaucracy pose significant regulatory hurdles, but maybe its time for our governor and our legislative leaders to begin working to reduce government requirements to a minimum so that safe, low cost and clean nuclear power plants can be constructed within just a few years.
Governor Sarah Palin wrote in an email to the paper on June 23rd that “Absolutely I can see nuclear playing a role in our energy agenda.” “Small scale nuclear is an exciting prospect and fits with development of our more conventional sources of non-renewables.” Representative Craig Johnson of Anchorage has introduced legislation aimed at easing red tape for the development of nuclear power in Alaska as well as expand public financing options for nuclear projects.
Looking at all the safe, low cost, nuclear reactors on line around the world, it would make good economic sense to bring nuclear power to our state and clear the way to make it happen soon.
Think About It! JCD 7-01-09 |
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