Producer of 'An Inconvenient Truth' answers questions

Nothing overly profound that our members weren't already aware of, but Laurie David's phrasing is good and concise. Her calling card - she says it all the time and again in the interview - is that lowering one's impact on climate change isn't about being perfect; it's about doing something, anything, to lower one's personal impact.

On another note, for nuclear news in NC:

Nuclear Power in the News & Observer

Shearon Hearis Facility coverage in the News & Observer

Duke's Nuclear Costs Will Remain Secret

To continue the topic of the previous post... Since 2005, opponents of nuclear power have repeatedly asked state regulators to make Duke Energy reveal the costs of its proposed nuclear plant in Cherokee County, South Carolina, which lies just on the border of NC. Customers from NC would use most of the energy and pay most of the costs of construction.

But regulators ruled today that potential costs - which, again it must be noted, NC customers will have to pay - are Duke's trade secret. From the News & Observer:

The N.C. Utilities Commission agreed with the Charlotte electric utility that the estimated cost of a proposed nuclear plant is a "trade secret" under North Carolina law...

Nuclear opponents have asked state regulators in North and South Carolina to force Duke to disclose its cost estimate, contending the public should not be deprived of this vital information on a decision of such magnitude to the state.

The costs of the plant won't be revealed for at least another six months; it could be much longer if Duke continues negotiations with various parties involved. Duke expects the plant to be operational in 2018.

Cost of Nuclear in NC?

Interesting story ran in the News and Observer about the cost of new nuclear plants, specifically one in SC that would feed both the Carolinas. Here's a taste:

Nuclear opponents are trying to force Duke Energy of Charlotte to disclose the projected cost of a proposed nuclear plant in Cherokee County, S.C., that would serve the Carolinas. The groups have asked officials in both states to require that Duke disclose the estimate. South Carolina regulators are expected to rule on the request today. North Carolina regulators could decide as early as Tuesday.

"If you want the ratepayers to pay for something, are you going to tell them it's none of their business?" said C. Dukes Scott, South Carolina's consumer advocate, who represents the public in utility rate cases.

Again, we get to see Jim Rogers use his legendary, note-worthy double talk. Duke Energy admits the estimates of operating costs given in February were inaccurate. But now their operation costs are "confidential" when in February they weren't. Hmm...