Tell My Politician To understand the many other reasons why SB 321 and SB 406 are bad public policy, read Senator Joan Bray's guest column in the Joplin Globe last month.
Ameren admits it cannot find investors to fund the nuclear plant because it is too risky and expensive.
Scotts Contracting/Facebook Page Latest Estimated Costs for Nuclear Reactor is $10 Billion. we'll have to pay an additional $4 Billion Dollars
"If we went after the potential that we've seen in our own study, we wouldn't have to build another power plant for 20 years, and
we could retire Meramec, and we'd be OK. But we'd lose $30 million a year. And we just can't do that. It's that simple."
The 2011 version of the CSP Today World Map has been released, displaying all concentrated solar thermal projects in USA and worldwide whether under planning or construction or operational.
This unique document gives you a bird´s eye view of what is happening in the US in the concentrated solar thermal power industry.
You can download the map from here:
http://rencd-media.com/portal/wts/cemcDAaA-RebaDsF2fs90-aAw-Aeyd
I hope that you find it useful! Let me know your thoughts
Thanks
Belén
Belén Gallego
CSP Today
belen@csptoday.com
US Phone 201 204 1914
UK Phone +44 207 3757555
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Japanese Disaster is Yet Another Reason
Why Ameren Must Pursue Efficiency First
Our sympathy goes out those who lost loved ones in last week's devastating earthquake and tsunami. As the Japanese reel from this disaster, they are now also under high alert for a nuclear reactor meltdown and radiation exposure.
While members of the U.S. Congress are discussing a possible moratorium on new nuclear reactors until safety issues are addressed, the Missouri General Assembly is considering legislation that would allow Ameren Missouri to charge ratepayers $40 million for a permit for a second nuclear reactor in mid-Missouri.
The proposed legislation would chip away at a 1976 ballot initiative supported 2-to-1 by Missouri voters. This law protects Missourians from investor-owned utilities charging ratepayers up-front for the construction of a power plant until it is producing electricity.
To understand the many other reasons why SB 321 and SB 406 are bad public policy, read Senator Joan Bray's guest column in the Joplin Globe last month.
In short, Ameren admits it cannot find investors to fund the nuclear plant because it is too risky and expensive.
Therefore, Ameren must pass SB 321 or SB 406 which shifts the financial risk of investment of a new nuclear plant from shareholders to ratepayers. But while shareholders dodge the risk, they still receive a financial windfall if/when the reactor comes online and Ameren then sells the excess electricity out of state for a premium.
History tells us only 50% of proposed nuclear reactors are completed and produce electricity in the U.S. These are not good odds for ratepayers who will have to pay for a new reactor whether or not it actually comes online.
The most frustrating thing about this proposition is that Ameren can easily meet Missouri's energy needs through energy efficiency instead of raising your electric rates to pay for a $6 billion nuclear reactor. In the St. Louis Post Dispatch on February 25, Steve Kidwell, Ameren Missouri Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, said:
"If we went after the potential that we've seen in our own study,
we wouldn't have to build another power plant for 20 years, and
we could retire Meramec, and we'd be OK. But we'd lose
$30 million a year. And we just can't do that. It's that simple."
So at the end of the day, Ameren's own numbers show that an aggressive energy efficiency plan will keep electric bills lower than other energy options. But, the company's sole concern is shareholder profits.
Kidwell's concern about loss revenue has been addressed through new rules developed by the Public Service Commission this year. Utilities are now reimbursed for costs associated with implementing efficiency programs and for revenue they lose when the efficiency programs cause customers to buy less power.
Ameren's goal is to charge you, the ratepayer, millions of dollars up front for an unnecessary, risky, and expensive power plant rather than investing in the cheapest energy resource available, energy efficiency.
Now is the time to get involved! Attend Conservation Lobby Day on Tuesday, March 29 and speak to state legislators about this issue and other critical environmental policies.
Ed Smith
Missouri Coalition for the EnvironmentNo-CWIP Coordinator
--
Scott's Contracting
scottscontracting@gmail.com
http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com
http://scottscontracting.wordpress.com
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2011 Annual Meeting
As Missouri confronts its dependence on coal and seeks renewable alternatives, "biomass" is emerging as part of the mix. Before Missouri has invested sufficiently in wind, solar, hydro and energy efficiency, our state is facing proposals for 32-40 megawatt power plants fueled by forest-based biomass. How clean are these plants?
Biomass? Coal? Clarifying "Clean" in the Energy DebateSunday, April 10 at 3:30 PMSchlafly Tap Room2100 Locust St., St. Louis, MO
Please join us for an examination of Missouri's energy priorities as we compare our energy options.
Annual Meeting will also include Board of Directors elections, door prizes and updates on MCE's program work.
- What are the air pollution impacts from biomass v. coal?
- Is forest biomass sustainable?
- What is clean, renewable biomass?
- How can we secure our coal-free energy future?
*Free* Members and non-members are welcome and encouraged to attend. Please RSVP online if you plan on attending.
Eating Lightly Cookbook
Eating Lightly
for our planet
for our health
for robust pleasure
Eating Lightly is a collection of over 400 vegetarian and vegan recipes from friends of the Missouri Coalition for the Environment, ranging from the family of the Missouri Botanical Garden's Pat and Peter Raven to some of Missouri's most creative professional chefs to your next-door neighbor. Not only have contributors shared favorite recipes but, often, the stories behind them. This is a cookbook with personality! Eight Missouri artists have contributed work to make Eating Lightly a visual feast as well.
In addition to offering a wide range of vegetarian and vegan appetizers, soups, salads, breads, side dishes, entrees, and desserts, this collection notes which of its recipes are gluten-free.
Copies can be purchased for only $20 apiece (plus $3 shipping) online and by cash or check only with a visit to any of the following St. Louis metro locations:
Downtown St. Louis -- Left Bank Books at 321 N. 10th
South City -- Local Harvest Grocery at 3108 Morganford
Home Eco at 4611 Macklind
Urban Eats Café & Bakery at 3301 Meramec St.
Sweet Art at 2203 S. 39th St.
CWE - Left Bank Books at 399 N. Euclid
University City Loop - Plowsharing Crafts at 6271 Delmar
Kirkwood - Cornucopia at 107 N. Kirkwood Rd.
Maplewood - Stone Spiral Coffee & Curios at 2500 Sutton
All proceeds from the sale of Eating Lightly will benefit the Missouri Coalition for the Environment, a member-supported and member-directed organization that has been strengthening environmental protections, holding government and corporations accountable, defending the environment in court, and mobilizing citizens to action for over forty years.
