Mark Lynas has spent the last decade or so researching and writing about global warming, and his work has been especially important in detailing the real dangers posed by rising temperatures. His 2007 book Six Degrees: Our Future on a Hotter Planet won the Royal Society’s Science Book Prize. But Lynas has become a controversial figure among greens for his support… Keep reading →
One of the more contentious issues in the US today is relicensing the nuclear power plant fleet for additional 20-year periods. As you can imagine, this issue can be particularly divisive in the local communities in which these plants are located. That is certainly the case with the Indian Point Energy Center – owned by… Keep reading →
Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant owner Pacific Gas & Electric has issued a couple of seismic studies in the past year – one last September and then another last month. The latest conclusion from the utility: “New Analyses Show Diablo Canyon Safe From Extreme Natural Events.” But Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer is skeptical of PG&E… Keep reading →
Four years ago, on March 11, 2011, a powerful earthquake triggered a massive tsunami that struck Japan’s northeastern Fukushima prefecture and led to a nuclear disaster – multiple reactor core meltdowns – at the Fukushima Daichi nuclear power plant. Unsurprisingly, that event prompted numerous national governments to reevaluate existing nuclear power plant safety regulations, with differing… Keep reading →
Introduction Breaking Energy obtained detailed correspondence between members of congress and the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request that raises important questions about the US nuclear industry, international relations, public health and non-proliferation. The series entitled “Breaking Energy US Nuclear Investigation” will highlight critical questions and findings revealed from… Keep reading →
In recent months, spot prices for uranium have rebounded. It’s a welcome relief to uranium miners, who have dealt with plunging prices since 2007 (and again after the tsunami and subsequent nuclear disaster in Fukushima, Japan). The rise in prices hasn’t been enough to propel a renaissance in the uranium mining industry, but some companies… Keep reading →
Controversy is brewing as utilities consider “repowering” old coal-fired power plants across the US with natural gas. Several environmental groups initiated lawsuits to stop these plants from converting from coal to gas. Environmentalists want to shut the plants and replace the power they generate with renewables. Utilities argue this is not always possible, particularly in… Keep reading →
Increasing domestic Saudi Arabian energy demand bumping up against volumes of oil available for export is an issue Breaking Energy has followed closely, and a new report from the International Energy Agency provides some updated detail on how the kingdom is addressing its energy dilemma. Renewable energy – primarily wind and solar – and nuclear… Keep reading →
The 10 largest power plants in the world – in terms of total installed capacity – are all massive hydro or nuclear installations, with the top 5 located in China and South America. The fact that these are all zero-carbon power sources highlights the challenge of meeting climate-change goals without nuclear power. It’s been said… Keep reading →
Opinion: Nuclear Energy Keeping the Lights on in the Cold
By Former Senator Judd GreggExtreme cold weather has had a tight grip on much of the Northern U.S. this winter. Boston recently saw its lowest temperature since 2004 and New York City had its coldest February morning in nearly three decades. As millions of Americans endure these cold temperatures, the importance of electricity for heating our homes and… Keep reading →