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Permalink Reply by Steve P on March 12, 2011 at 18:54

this probably should be a new thread, but I'm wondering what effect the "meltdown" on the Japan nuclear reactors will have on the the prospect of new nuclear power plants in the US?  as a mineral and land owner in the HS area, it might be in my financial interest if natural gas become the power generation fuel of the near term.  But my "what's good for the country" side wants to see a resurgence of nuclear power plant construction.

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Permalink Reply by Steve P on March 13, 2011 at 15:12

My bias is supporting the use of NG in every possible way.  I also think having a new generation of nuclear power plants is in the country's interest.  I'm also for solar and wind power, but those are pretty limited resources and will be small incremental additions for the next 15 years or so.  The country needs to move out agressively to start replacing a generation of "dirty" coal-fired power plants.  Twenty years ago, the US government spent a few billion dollars (back then, that was real money) to fund R&D for clean coal.  while high-sulphur coal can be used, it's not easy or cheap, and you still get far more pollutants out the stack (and elsewhere) from "modern" coal-fired plants.

Nuclear will continue to have high construction costs, driven by permitting costs as well as actual hard-dollar construction costs, but over the life of the plants, they generate electricity at reasonable rates.  We all hope, and perhaps assume, that over time, the price of natural gas will rise substantially.  The fuel cycle for nuclear power plants is not nearly so vulnerable to such price increases.   We know what to do with the nuclear waste, the current set-backs are simply and completely political.

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Permalink Reply by Checkmateking on March 13, 2011 at 3:44

Japan's problems should have no bearing on new nuclear facilities in parts of the United States that are not Earthquake prone, you must realize that Japan is one of the most seismically active nations in the world, There is not a site in Japan that is ideal for nuclear power, it's just a risk that they must take to provide cost efficient energy for their people.

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Permalink Reply by Steve P on March 13, 2011 at 15:14

there you go thinking logically again.  The anti-nukes in this country will seize on the fear of "meltdowns" as a reason for blocking new nuclear plant permits.

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Permalink Reply by P.G. on March 13, 2011 at 4:00

A second Post-Spill drilling permit?

So the powers that be can claim they are on the job addressing the issue of high oil prices by doubling the permitting of drilling for energy off the shores of the United States, right?

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Permalink Reply by P.G. on March 13, 2011 at 6:46

What's distressing is not much mention from our leaders for the potential of Natural Gas to fix a lot of energy problems other than the few companies and local governments in a bind converting some of their vehicles. High fuel prices are a serious Tax imposed by foreign interests, especially on the poor people..

NG seems so Obvious as a long haul energy solution that the amount of silence raises suspicion..

 

I wonder how many CNG fuelling stations could be funded with the money going to be spent on High Speed Rail?

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Permalink Reply by P.G. on March 13, 2011 at 11:10

What would the coal lobby have to do with foiling the promotion of NG for transportation? I mean so long as it's not competing for electrical production why would the coal industry care?

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Permalink Reply by Steve P on March 15, 2011 at 15:40

I only looked at the summary in your link, but those are very ambitious regulations, and to implement them without the standard comment period is unusual.  I'm not a professional in the business, but I would assume that some of these will create huge delays in resuming the approval of permits.  My guess is that one does not just walk into your local Chevy dealer and buy a remotely operated vehicle to put on your righ.  I would guess that those are made to order, and even if there are some in stock somewhere, would they be able to perform all of the functions required by this new rule.  Again, I don't know how the industry works, but I would assume that the decision to select the correct weight of the drilling fluid is a "real time" decision made while drilling.  Here, they will have to stop operations and go do a "mother may I" from the BOEM District Manager before making some changes.  Rigs operate 24/7; I'm pretty sure that that District Manager is, at best, 45 hours a week M-F.

 

And all of this from reading their summary, and not even looking at the fine print.

Permalink Reply by P.G. on March 13, 2011 at 11:16

Iwonder how many CNG refuelling stations they could install with the money they are "Currently" planning to squander on High Speed Rail....

Installing CNG refuelling stations would be like planting seeds for prosperity..

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Permalink Reply by P.G. on March 13, 2011 at 13:19

Yes anyone can install such a refuelling device (not inexpensive) but travel would still be limited to the range of a half a tank of fuel. It limits such a vehicle to local use only. May be okay for those who can afford to have different vehicles sitting in the drive reserved for special purposes..

On the other hand, widespread cng refuelling would put NG on an equal footing with petroleum but put the prosperity back into America rather than some Arabic country..

All high speed rail will do is become a tax payer subsidized burden...

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Permalink Reply by Spring Branch,mineral owner on March 16, 2011 at 12:22

Why would one believe a U. S. Senator, with knowlege of the issues, when, as an alternative, they can rely on the New York Times and it's trustworthy editorial page?

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Permalink Reply by Two Dogs, Pirate on March 16, 2011 at 14:53

sesport, I did my part and converted two homes to tankless NG water heaters, this week. I spent over 3 grand, not to mention days lost from work. I feel that I am on vacation for most of the year because I run up and down the roads giving people money and listening to stories that most times I want to hear. To do manuel labor is a reverse to a vacation, it helps me get back in physical shape. I try to do the reverse vacation once a year for about a week or two.