In this edition:
- Insight into the costs associated with operating nuclear utility fleets
- Commentary on the importance of studying climate modification techniques
Nuclear Fleet Costs
A bipartisan group of Illinois lawmakers, with the support of power company Exelon and others, recently rolled out legislation that would reward power generators “for producing environmentally friendly electricity.” Exelon said the initiative would allow nuclear plants in the state that are at risk of closing prematurely to “compete with other low-carbon power generators—including wind, solar, water, and clean coal” on equal footing.
At a recent RFF Policy Leadership Forum, Exelon president and CEO Chris Crane spoke about the costs associated with maintaining the company’s nuclear utilities fleet, which he said must “compete in a lower-margin environment with a higher baseline price.” Crane noted that post-9/11 regulations have spurred a “significant change in [Exelon’s] security costs,” including the fulfillment of new critical technology requirements. Video of the event is also available.
Climate Geoengineering Options
New reports from the National Research Council suggest that “it’s crucial that we study” climate modification, despite the possible dangers that may be associated with current intervention techniques. At a recent RFF seminar on the findings of the reports, Admiral David Titley, director of Pennsylvania State University’s Center for Solutions to Weather and Climate Risk, explained that future public pressure to act on climate change “will be enormous” as its effects become more noticeable, which may prompt leaders to pursue geoengineering options for which little data exist.
