The debate over the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant reflects the recent rebranding of the energy source
nuclear power plant lies about 200 miles north of Los Angeles on California's central coast. Its twin reactors sit between the Pacific Ocean on one side and emerald hills on the other. The Golden State’s only remaining nuclear plant provides nearly 9% of its electricity generation, and accounts for 15% of its clean-electricity production. Yet despite California’s aggressive climate goals and a national push to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, Diablo Canyon is set to close down by 2025.
These three trends led researchers to ponder how keeping the plant running might change California’s energy outlook. They found that to keep it going to 2035, ten years past its current operating licence issued by the, would cut emissions, bolster the grid’s reliability and save the state $2.6bn. The analysis shows that Diablo’s continued operation would reduce the carbon emissions from power generation by 11% each year from 2017 levels.
Even while plants are being shut down, nuclear power is gaining in appeal. Environmental groups have long been sceptical of nuclear because of the toxic waste it produces, or because they were against nuclear weapons. Jessica Lovering, the founder of Good Energy Collective, which aims to build the “progressive case for nuclear energy”, says today’s climate activists are more pragmatic, and focused on nuclear’s lack of carbon emissions.
Policy is slowly catching up. Pro-nuclear groups point to the use of “clean electricity” or “zero-carbon” language in state and federal climate targets as a way to leave the door open for nuclear, rather than requiring renewables. Jennifer Granholm, President Joe Biden’s energy secretary, told a crowd at, the global climate conference in Glasgow, that nuclear energy is an “essential tool” in decarbonising the grid.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Here's Another Way Climate Change Is Gender-Based Crisis14 million women are at risk of losing contraception due to climate-related displacement.
Read more »
‘Build Back Better’ Act A Matter Of When—Not If—Democrat Lawmakers Tell COP26From President Joe Biden to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, U.S. dignitaries have repeatedly assured COP26 that “America is back” on the climate leadership stage.
Read more »
Israel readies for attacks on Iran nuclear facilitiesAs Iran agrees to meet world powers on restarting nuclear negotiations, Israel's right-wing politicians threaten war against Iran.
Read more »
China hopes to flaunt the merits of its political system over America’sThe Communist Party congress will be a controlled display of power, while America’s mid-term elections may condemn the country to a divided government
Read more »
'Europe is in danger': top diplomat proposes EU military doctrineThe European Union's foreign policy chief warned the bloc on Wednesday that it must agree an ambitious doctrine as the basis for joint military action abroad, including with a deployable crisis force.
Read more »