Energy projects such as biomass plants, coal firing plants, and nuclear power plants waste enormous amounts of water. The once proposed 40MW biomass plant in Valdosta would have consumed 800,000 gallons of water DAILY. Considering that for years now we are experiencing record drought conditions and heat waves in the US, this should make everyone’s hair stand up on the back of their necks. (For more information see “Electricity’s Thirst on a Precious Resource”.)
Why? As the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League (BREDL) summarized: “The Court noted that, after decades of failure to site a repository, including twenty years of working on the now-abandoned Yucca Mountain repository, the NRC has no long-term plan other than hoping for a geologic repository. Therefore it is possible that spent fuel will be stored at reactor sites *on a permanent basis*. Under the circumstances, the NRC must examine the environmental consequences of failing to establish a repository when one is needed.”
That begs the question what will happen with the radioactive waste
that is accumulating here in Georgia and in connection with plants like Vogtle, Hatch, and others?
Thankfully some people and institutions are finally seeing the writing on the wall. Thus it is noteworthy that the White House just fast-tracked better energy alternatives.
When will Southern Company & Georgia Power finally wake up?
nuclear power plants waste enormous amounts of water. The once proposed 40MW biomass plant in Valdosta would have consumed 800,000 gallons of water DAILY. Considering that for years now we are experiencing record drought conditions and heat waves in the US, this should make everyone’s hair stand up on the back of their necks. (For more information see “Electricity’s Thirst on a Precious Resource”.)
Commission (NRC) to freeze all nuclear reactor construction and operating licenses in the U.S.
summarized: “The Court noted that, after decades of failure to site a repository, including twenty years of working on the now-abandoned Yucca Mountain repository, the NRC has no long-term plan other than hoping for a geologic repository. Therefore it is possible that spent fuel will be stored at reactor sites *on a permanent basis*. Under the circumstances, the NRC must examine the environmental consequences of failing to establish a repository when one is needed.”
Michael G. Noll, President Wiregrass Activists for Clean Energy (WACE)