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French Elite Leads the World in Pushing Nuclear Technology: Having Technical Hiccups or Fatal Flaws?

Zachary Shahan — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 18:35:40 +0000

There is a controversial decision to be made in Maryland soon regarding a nuclear reactor that might be built there. Similar to reactors being built in Finland that British and Finnish regulators are finding problems with, this reactor would be built largely by a French nuclear technocratic elite who are operating in a questionable and risky way.

The project in Maryland is a 4.5 billion dollar deal that is trying to skirt public service regulation. Thanks in part to a regional coalition, the Chesapeake Safe Energy Coalition (CSEC), and their ability to get 650 petition signatures sent to the Public Service Commission (PSC), the nuclear business elite are running into responsible and practical decision-making that will give more public accountability.

An in-depth report of the history of nuclear technology in France that leads into the situation today was completed by international nuclear expert and consultant Mycle Schneider in May of this year. There are many issues put forth in this paper that are discussed in great detail and with appropriate connection to various global issues (i.e. issues regarding political conflict and the environment). Six key points from the report are introduced below:

Germany Unleashes World’s Toughest Wind Turbines

Ariel Schwartz — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 00:41:50 +0000

The first turbines designed specifically for offshore wind energy are finally ready for deployment in Germany after 10 years of development. Areva’s turbines are waterproofed, light, and have a simplified design— meaning they are easy to install and maintain. At full power, each 5MW turbine can supply enough energy for 5,000 homes.

AREVA, Duke Energy Commit to Largest Woody Biomass Power Plant Projects in U.S.

Timothy B. Hurst — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:39:38 +0000

New York, September 24, 2008 - At the opening session of the 2008 Clinton Global Initiative, former president, and host of the event, Bill Clinton, announced a joint commitment from AREVA and Duke Energy to proceed with the development of fourteen wood biomass power plants in the United States. The project commitments will help avoid 4 million tons of carbon per year by 2014.

“This project comes at exactly the right time as Americans face soaring energy prices and look to meet rising electricity demand with green energy sources. The ADAGE biopower facilities will respond to our nation’s need for new baseload energy alternatives,” said Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration the total installed capacity of wood biomass power generation is 6,000 megawatts, said Clinton. That figure could easily be doubled over the next 10 years.

AREVA is the leading U.S. nuclear vendor and a key player in the electricity transmission and distribution sector. Duke Energy is one the largest electric utilities in the country. Duke supplies and delivers electricity to approximately 4 million U.S. customers across the Mid-Adlantic and Mid-West.

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Image credit: Andrew Ciscel via flickr under a Creative Commons License