Category: Energy

This is the single most encouraging news item I have seen in ten years because without nuclear power America is certain to falter in this century. GE has broken ground on a new factory that will make next-generation Nuclear Power plants, see the story here.

I never thought this would happen, Continue reading “The best news in years!”

This is going to get lost in the immigration hubub, but it’s very important. One of the the most significant things President Bush has done is to bring nuclear power back into discussion, and with a favorable light. See coverage of the speech and video here at NEI.

We are entering a time of great promise. Our economy is creating new jobs. It is also creating new demands for energy. Our electricity demand is projected to increase nearly 50 percent over the next 25 years.

America needs domestic sources of clean, affordable electricity, and that is why I strongly support nuclear power.

America’s 103 nuclear power plants now account for about 20 percent of our nation’s electricity, more than any other source except for coal. And those plants generate safe, reliable power without producing any air pollution or greenhouse gases.

There is a growing consensus that nuclear power is a key part of a clean, secure energy future.

America has not ordered a nuclear power plant in decades. France by contrast has built 58 plants since the 1970s and now gets 78 percent of its electricity from nuclear power.

Excellent coverage of Tony Blair’s speech in favor of Nuclear power at the Oil Drum from the UK, Courtesy of NEI.

Mankind is ingenious at tapping the energy bounty provided by nature. From the first fire, to windmills, to water wheels, to today’s electric generating plants we have progressed from superstitious awe and deification of nature to harnessing it to our every need.

Today however we have several movements that question and deny the need for more energy, and we have dangerous tyrants who oppose our advance at every opportunity. These forces all sprang from the romantic era, two driven by an idealized view of nature, and one from a religio-racist view—and they all ally when it’s convenient. Continue reading “Children of lightning or Children of terror?”

Nuclear updates

Japan nuclear industry gets a win in court here.

Here’s an update on China’s progress. Continue reading “Nuclear updates”

New House of Representatives energy policy report out, see details at NEI, excerpt below of key findings — please note the finding that current prices are demand driven and note the wake-up call regarding catastrophic supply shock, emphasis mine:

• the current period of high, volatile oil prices is demand-driven, “and not caused by supply restrictions instituted by producers or political upheaval”
  • given today’s tight global markets with little excess capacity, the United States is vulnerable to “catastrophic supply shock” in view of current geopolitics
  • the United States must pursue production and conservation; these are not “either or” options Continue reading “Securing America’s Energy Future report out at House”

Windows Security Bulletins 

Microsoft released three new security bulletins today, please don’t wait around, if you have “Gates Gear” go get patched tonight at windows update. The cycle time from bulletin release to exploits in the wild is now extremely short, expect worms that use these flaws tonight or tomorrow. There are botnet drivers out there building code as I write — don’t become part of their herd. Speaking of botnet drivers, Ancheta gets 57 months in jail. Sordid tale here.

Continue reading “Updates – MS security bulletins, Nuclear news”

Another episode in the FEMA trailer drama, School Bus Nagin finally allows some trailers in after a stern talk from Chertov.

In an excellent article, Von Mises institute explains better than I did last night why Congress is responsible for the gas shortage, and why they are the only ones who can fix it.

Meanwhile, 73 percent of adults in america now cruise the internet regularly. Farewell dotcom bust, farewell MSM — it won’t be long before most of america is screaming for bandwidth that isn’t there, and the “dark fiber” we have today will be lit brighter than a thousand suns.

Japan is faced with Defense cost sticker shock now that we are asking them to become more self-reliant.

China is building nuclear reactors at a pace of two per year.

Virginia Postrel points out some interesting demographics on church governance.