Red Tape Chokes Path to Next-Gen Nukes

Government must get out of the way of cheap, clean energy sources

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 24, 2009 9:05 AM CDT

(Newser) – A handful of startups are designing an exciting new generation of modular nuclear reactors that could solve our energy woes, writes legendary tech investor Bob Metcalfe in the Wall Street Journal. Small enough to fit on a kitchen table, they’re cheap and safe and... Read full story »

COMMENTS

Read the comment policy

You need to Log in to Newser to comment. Don't have an account yet? Sign up now!

4 comments

A snapshot of the day's best news stories.

View Larger Grid

All Today Yesterday Pick a Date

What's Popular Now on Facebook

Miami Face-Eater Identified

Chagas Disease the 'New AIDS of the Americas'

Wall Street Journal (Source Grid »)

GE pushing modular units, too
Reuters

Efficient renewable energy a better bet than nuclear
Seattle Times

More loan guarantees expected for nuclear plants
MarketWatch

Science • Money • Politics

nuclear power • nuclear reactor • nuclear power plant • Nuclear Regulatory Commission • nuclear fission • Bob Metcalfe

More Newser Stories

US OKs First Nuclear Reactors in 30 Years

Georgia plant gets approval to build two

(NEWSER) - It's a milestone for the nuclear energy industry: The feds today gave their blessing to a Georgia utility company to build two new reactors, the first such approval in 30 years, reports CNN . Southern Co. and its partners will build the reactors in Waynesboro, Ga., about 170 miles east of Atlanta, at a plant that already has two operating reactors. That will make the Vogtle plant the biggest nuclear complex in the US when they're up and running by 2017, notes the New York Times . More»

Japan Shutting Down Last Nuclear Reactor

Country faces energy crunch

(NEWSER) - Japan is shutting down its last nuclear reactor Saturday, meaning a long, hot summer as the Japanese are forced to conserve a power supply that could fall 16% below demand. Oil- and gas-based power has been ramped up to ease the energy shortage—nuclear power provided one-third of the country’s electricity before the Fukushima Dai-ichi incident—but that is costing more than $100 million a day, and left Japan with its largest annual trade deficit last year. More»

Judge: Vermont Can't Shut Down Nuke Plant

Federal judge says only federal government can regulate nuclear safety

(NEWSER) - Vermont is the only state with a law allowing it to have a say over whether a nuclear plant's license should be renewed, but a federal judge has slapped down Vermont's attempt to withhold such a renewal. The judge ruled that Vermont Yankee, the state's only nuclear plant, can continue to operate after its original 40-year license expires in March, the New York Times reports. The judge decided that Vermont was trying to regulate nuclear safety, something only federal regulators—who recently granted the plant a license to operate for another 20 years—are allowed to do. More»

US Nuclear Regulators Routinely Weaken Rules

Changing standards keep ancient reactors running, despite wear and tear

(NEWSER) - US regulators are helping the nuclear power industry keep its aging plants in line with safety requirements by repeatedly loosening those requirements, according to a year-long AP investigation . The AP found thousands of problems—from cracking tubes to failed cables to leaking valves—all of which made the plants less safe. As these problems cropped up, industry and government studies time and time again concluded that regulations were "unnecessarily conservative." Regulations are loosened, and the reactors are back in compliance. More»

Germany: All Nuke Plants Shut Down by 2022

Country is largest industrial power to make such a pledge

(NEWSER) - In the wake of the disaster at Japan’s Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant, Germany has announced plans to phase out all of its nuclear power plants by 2022. With this move, Germany will become the largest industrial power to give up nuclear energy, the BBC reports. The country’s seven oldest reactors were taken offline after the crisis in Japan and will not be used again; an eighth is offline because of problems and will also be closed permanently. Of the rest, six will be shut down by 2021 and the three newest by 2022. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Red Tape Chokes Path to Next-Gen Nukes

Government must get out of the way of cheap, clean energy sources

nuclear power • nuclear reactor • nuclear power plant • Nuclear Regulatory Commission • nuclear fission • Bob Metcalfe

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

US OKs First Nuclear Reactors in 30 Years

Georgia plant gets approval to build two

Japan Shutting Down Last Nuclear Reactor

Country faces energy crunch

Judge: Vermont Can't Shut Down Nuke Plant

Federal judge says only federal government can regulate nuclear safety

US Nuclear Regulators Routinely Weaken Rules

Changing standards keep ancient reactors running, despite wear and tear

Germany: All Nuke Plants Shut Down by 2022

Country is largest industrial power to make such a pledge

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?