Global Energy News Roundup: November 24
November 24, 2016The Forum on Energy weekly news roundup brings together a mix of global energy stories from around the web. It is published every Thursday and is available on Twitter via @forumonenergy
Earthquake Rocks Fukushima, Causes No Lasting Damage to Nuclear Plants
An earthquake- reportedly of 7.4 magnitude- struck off the coast of Fukushima early in the morning of November 22nd. The cooling system in the used fuel pool of the Fukushima Daini plant automatically shut off in the wake of the earthquake, but Tepco successfully restarted the system within an hour and a half. Power was never lost at either Fukushima Daiichi or Daini, and subsequent inspections have revealed no “abnormalities.”
Source: The New York Times, World Nuclear News
Indian Point Renewal Increasingly Unlikely
Indian Point nuclear power plant
The New York Court of Appeal has ruled that the application to renew a permit to operate the plant must be submitted by Entergy to the New York State Department of State. According to Gov. Cuomo, “The Department of State already concluded that the Indian Point relicensing application is inconsistent with New York’s long-standing Coastal Management Program requirements…” Critics accuse Indian Point of being mismanaged and dilapidated, while proponents point out that it currently supplies a quarter of New York City’s electricity.
Source: Deutsche Welle
Pro-Nuclear Mayor Elected in Japan
Masahiro Sakurai won the mayoral race in Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture, defeating an opponent who staunchly opposed the reopening of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant. Mr. Sakurai pledged during the campaign that he would not reject a restart of the plant if Tepco takes into account the opinions of local residents, and ensures the facility’s safety. Kashiwazaki-Kariwa is the world’s biggest nuclear power plant, but its restart still faces uncertainty given in particular the anti-nuclear stance of Niigata Gov. Ryuichi Yoneyama, who was elected in October.
Source: The Japan Times
ComEd Drops Problematic Provisions on Exelon Bill
Hours after Gov. Rauner’s administration criticized aspects of the proposed energy bill, ComEd dropped some of its most problematic provisions, namely controversial proposals on changing the way consumers are charged for their energy use. The primary purpose of the bill is to aid the struggling Clinton and Quad Cities nuclear power plants, which Exelon has stated will be closed should the state fail to step in and help. ComEd also dropped a provision that would have required Illinois ratepayers to subsidize downstate power plants that burn coal from Wyoming.
Source: Chicago Tribune
