QUICK NEWS, April 23: Nuclear’s Scam On New Energy’s Incentives; The Minerals In New Energy

Nuclear’s Scam On New Energy’s Incentives How nuclear plants are gaming climate-change rules; In state after state, operators have figured out how turn green-power incentives into sweetheart deals.

Travis Kavulla, April 23. 2019 (Politico)

“…[Procurement mandates requiring a share of electricity needs to be supplied by solar, wind and other renewable technologies] are in force in 29 states…[T]hese laws have been so effective at reducing the cost of renewables that it is not readily apparent that such mandates are a necessary driver for decarbonization…[T]hree-quarters of the U.S. coal fleet could be replaced today by renewables solely for economic reasons…[but in] numerous states, companies with large investments in nuclear energy — including Exelon, First Energy, Dominion and PSEG — have lobbied states to reconfigure their clean-power incentives to subsidize existing nuclear plants, rather than the emergent technologies that the laws were intended for…

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…[It] started in Democratic states like Illinois and New York in 2016, spread to Connecticut in 2017 and New Jersey in 2018. Bills to this effect are now being considered by Republican-led chambers in Ohio and Pennsylvania…[The proposals] take advantage of green-sounding energy incentives, and they share a basic outline intended to avoid the appearance of being a naked subsidy…[Instead of spurring competition between emissions-reducing power sources, like a carbon tax or a cap-and-trade program, the] nuclear subsidy schemes are an elaborate greenwashing that neither returns money to the public nor further reduces carbon emissions…[These programs] billions of dollars…[Some say the costs are necessary to prevent an emissions] spike if nuclear units are replaced by abundant and cheap natural gas…[But most of these nuclear plants would not shut down. And propping up older technologies risks] harm to innovative technologies looking to break into the market…[Nuclear energy] should compete fairly against other electricity sources…” click here for more

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The Minerals In New Energy New research exposes extent of mineral demand for renewable energy technologies

April 18, 2019 (PhysOrg)

“The growing demand for minerals and metals to build the electric vehicles, solar arrays, wind turbines and other renewable energy infrastructure necessary to meet the ambitious goals of the Paris Climate Agreement could outstrip current production rates for key metals by as early as 2022, according to new research…[The study] shows that as demand for minerals such as lithium and rare earths skyrockets, the already significant environmental and human impacts of hardrock mining are likely to rise steeply as well…[It calls] for a broad shift in the clean technologies sector towards more responsible minerals sourcing…Doing so will require a concerted commitment from businesses and governments…Under a 100 percent renewable energy scenario, metal requirements could rise dramatically, requiring new primary and recycled sources…

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Clean technologies rely on a variety of minerals, principally cobalt, nickel, lithium, copper, aluminum, silver and rare earths. Cobalt, lithium and rare earths are the metals of most concern for increasing demand and supply risks…Batteries for electric vehicles are the most significant driver of accelerated minerals demand…Recycled sources can significantly reduce primary demand, but new mining is likely to take place and new mining developments linked to renewable energy are already underway…Responsible sourcing is needed when supply cannot be met by recycled sources…Minerals extraction already exacts significant costs on people and the environment, fuelling conflict and human rights violations, massive water pollution and wildlife and forest destruction…” click here for more

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