THE BIG, GREEN, CLEAN MACHINE - A NUCLEAR RENAISSANCE UPDATE FOR THE TITANIUM INDUSTRY

摘要

Notwithstanding the current world economic downturn, continuing instability in global oil prices and a real andrnunprecedented decline in domestic electric energy load capacity, the nuclear power sector faces burgeoningrnand continuing challenges. Industry banter including green power, carbon capture, cap and trade, wind power,rnphotovoltaic, biomass, solar and other noble, yet largely unsustainable compass points are often used tornidentify the new fuel de jour. Purported methods by the administrative pundits to increase energyrnindependence and stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere to a level that would preventrndangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system have taken front page headlines. ThernRenaissance gestation period has ended and a new era has begun begging the question as to when thernnuclear phoenix will eventually rise.rnAs noted above, it is also clear the continued use of fossil fuels for electric power generation remains the banernof the PowerGen Industry. Indeed, new coal-fired power plants, currently generating some 50% of the U.S.rndomestic power needs, have been largely abandoned as long-term grid additions leaving renewables andrnsolar as the only current political options. Paraphrasing the Obama administration rhetoric and the applicationrnof their own political stimulus package to the energy industry – of course coal-fired generation power plantsrncan be built – it’s just that you will not be able to afford them.rnCurrently, the US NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) is moving through the legal, technical, commercialrnand political conundrum of evaluating 22 COL’s (Combined Construction & Operating License) representing 33rnnew nukes in the US. Similarly, it is predicted that the world may add an additional 160 units over the next 15rnyears. Loan Guarantees, as proposed by the Bush Administration (Energy Policy Act) remain precariously inrnplace and noted to cover only the first 19 plants. Design licensing constraints still tug at the bureaucraticrnshirttails slowing the progress of these COL’s through the approval process. Strict adherence to NRCrnlicensing policy, red tape, continuing pressures on the credit markets and the predicted demise of YuccarnMountain leaving the spent fuel question to future technology/generations has kept both lawyers and utilityrnpersonnel alike begging the question – “Who’s on first?”.rnHowever, continuing positive signs lie in the committed action principally taken by China and Western Europernin expanding their nuclear horizons. Even several domestic utilities and NSSS suppliers have ordered longrnlead time items recognizing that both from a political and purely practical position, the first in line will reap thernrewards. In the midst of this turmoil, this author will attempt a reevaluation of the “Nuclear Renaissance” in