Clean Energy Insight - Moving Energy Forward

[Approx. Read Time: 2 minutes] With all of the recent state legislation requiring a certain portion of electricity generation to come from “renewable” energy sources, now is a good time to expand nuclear power. With the ever increasing reliance on technology, electricity demand is projected to increase 26 percent from 2007 to 2030. A report by the National Center for Policy Analysis suggests that recycling spent nuclear fuel could provide an almost unlimited supply of nuclear fuel in the USA... more

[Approx. Read Time: 1 minute]  A recent Bi-Partisan letter to the President provides frame work for nuclear power growth and environmental change.  The following is the section of the letter that focuses on nuclear power. “Encouraging nuclear power. Additional nuclear power is an essential component of our strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We strongly support incentives for renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, but successful legislation must also recognize the important... more

[Approx. Read Time: 2 minutes]  A recent article written by Keith Bradsher, states “China, which by most estimates overtook the United States in 2006 to become the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, is seeking sharp improvements in the energy efficiency of its economy.” China is taking action to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases they emit by building new nuclear reactors – as many as 10 a year – to meet the country’s growing electricity demand. China’s economy has grown significantly... more

[Approx. Read Time: 4 minutes] We’re back.  After a month of outage season it’s time to get back to work.  Most of Clean Energy Insight’s contributors are back from working their respective outages.  Contributors spent time working long hours over the past month at places like Diablo Canyon, Sequoyah, Three Mile Island, VC Summer, Oconee, and Salem nuclear power plants.  While working on-site and in the field at these plants, everyone gained invaluable experiences that will... more

Clean Energy Insight has created a Fact Sheet for 2009 focused on New Nuclear Plants and their benefits.  I’ve attached the Fact Sheet for you to use in any way that you would like.  Attach it to a pro-nuclear letter you are sending your Congressman, or just send it to a colleague or friend. Clean Energy Insight - New Nuclear Plant Fact Sheet 2009  Read More →

I know that Halloween is today and this may find some of you a little late, but as a light and fun holiday article, I thought we could discuss “Green” Halloween ideas.  Here are some fun Halloween ideas that will help you have an eco-friendly holiday. 1) Reuse or make your own Halloween costume: Okay, so I know this sounds cheesy but how easy, cheap and fun would it be to make your own costume?  Be a little creative.  Some of the most memorable costumes I had as a little kid were... more

[Approx. Read Time: 1 minute] TGIF!  Time to reveal another way to save energy.  To piggy back on what we discussed last week, properly installing and using a programmable thermostat in your home is an easy way to save energy and money!  Remember that the cleanest energy is the energy you don’t waste. Programmable Thermostat By using a programmable thermostat in your home, it is easy to pre-program settings to regulate your home’s temperature.  Depending on your family’s... more

[Approx. Read Time: 2 minutes] Our nation has a continued dysfunction in regard to paying attention to and solving real problems.  Tunnel vision and osmosis must be the source of some of our nation’s prioritization because all of the problems that get attention have the same attributes.  They are within arms reach or are right in front of our collective faces.  This is the only way I can explain the reason why the vast majority of regulation and laws passed for air pollution control up to... more

[Approx. Read Time 6 minutes] The US Chamber of Commerce has been making major news lately, and I’d like to make an attempt to analyze what the fuss is all about.  Hopefully, by asking a few questions and doing a little research, you will be able to better understand what you may be reading in the news. The pro-Nuclear United States Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation.  It’s self-proclaimed goal is: “To advance human progress through an economic,... more

[Approx. Read Time: 4 minutes] NEI Nuclear Notes covered President Obama’s comments on nuclear power late last week during his trip to New Orleans.  Here they are: “There’s no reason why technologically we can’t employ nuclear energy in a safe and effective way.  Japan does it and France does it and it doesn’t have greenhouse gas emissions, so it would be stupid for us not to do that in a much more effective way.” Sounds good. As you are probably already aware,... more

[Approx. Read Time: 2 minutes] We have covered the nuclear power issue in the United Kingdom previously, here and here.  Lord Philip Hunt (center), Minister of the Department of Energy and Climate Change in the United Kingdom, offered the following pro-nuclear letter in the Guardian today.  Very well written and interesting to see the statistics from Britain on nuclear power that are very similar in proportion to those in the United States. It seems as though certain leaders in the United Kingdom... more

[Approx. Read Time: 2 minutes] HSBC Private Bank has begun recommending clients to invest between 1-5% of their wealth in nuclear power.  According to the head of global strategy for HSBC, Fredrik Nerbrand, nuclear power is the only sustainable means of electricity.  Nerbrand is also recommending to steer clear of other renewable energy stocks such as solar because of their dependence on government subsidies in a time when budgets are stretched.  Advice from financial experts and recent... more

[Approx. Read Time: 2 minutes] Ceiling fans used in addition to your air conditioning can save energy by allowing a higher thermostat temperature setting. In the summer or warmer months, use the ceiling fan in the counterclockwise direction. While standing directly under the ceiling fan you should feel a cool breeze.  Air movement from the fan evaporates moisture on the skin and makes a person feel cooler. Therefore, you can raise the thermostat and feel just as comfortable. For every degree... more

[Approx. Read Time: 4 minutes] Things may be slowing down a bit here at Clean Energy Insight over the next month or two.  Currently, it is outage season for the nuclear power industry.  Many of our contributors will be supporting outage work on-site at nuclear power plants. In the nuclear power industry, an “outage” does not primarily refer to a power outage or blackout.  Every Spring and Fall, when power demand is at its lowest, the nuclear industry shuts down some of their plants... more

[Approx. Read Time: 1 minute] The prospect of building a new nuclear power plant in Inglis, Fl has local residents excited. Current economic conditions in surrounding Levy county are dismal with unemployment topping 12% and per capita income reaching only $15,000.  Progress Energy estimated the number of jobs that would be created in constructing and operating the  plant in a recent news article: “Progress spokeswoman Cherie Jacobs said about 3,000 workers would build the plant when construction... more