Vermonters Don't Want Nuc

The owner of Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant won a significant victory when it convinced a federal judge

waste storage casks at Vermont Yankee

that the state legislature exceeded its authority by passing a law (Act 160) prohibiting the plant from operating after its current license expires in March. In a lengthy opinion Judge Murtha found that the legislature's decision in 2010 was based on safety concerns, an area of law preempted by the federal government through its agency the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. That agency granted a renewed operating permit for Vermont Yankee last year. The agency has never denied a nuclear plant owner a permit. A suit filed by the nuclear watchdog group New England Coalition argues that the NRC erred by granting Entergy an operating license without a crucial water discharge permit. Judge Murtha also noted that the state through its own state utility board could deny Entergy Corporation the right to operate Vermont Yankee on other than safety grounds. The Vermont attorney general says Murtha's decision will probably be appealed all the way to the US Supreme Court. Thus, the question of a state's right to control the operation of nuclear plants within their borders, and the ultimate fate of Vermont Yankee, will remain in question until the Court rules, and that could take years.

Nuclear power is expensive, polluting, controversial and potentially catastrophic. Nevertheless, power is immediately available as long as the plant is running. One of the problems facing proponents of renewable energy as a substitute for nuclear power and fossil fuels is inconstant availability. When the sun shines and the wind blows, there is a clean power source, but obviously the sun and wind do not always cooperate. So the question in the minds of power engineers becomes, how can alternative energy be stored efficiently for use when the sun is not shinning and the wind is not blowing? This problem is huge for a country like Denmark which has the largest wind farms in the world. Because consumer demand for electricity is often lowest when generation of electricity from wind is at its highest level, for example at night when onshore winds drive the turbines. Denmark has to sell its surplus electricity for pennies. Then, when demand from customers is high, buy back electricity at much higher prices. The net result is Denmark has some of the highest rates for electricity anywhere, despite producing oodles of kilowatts from a free, non-polluting power source.

Both Texas and California face the same problem as Denmark. Last spring when its hydroelectric dams are operating at full capacity, the Bonneville Power Administration said it would stop buying electricity from Oregon's wind farms. That decision was reversed when politically connected wind energy companies complained. Excess capacity in one region of the national electric grid is a conundrum the much touted by still absent smart grid is supposed to relieve. Theoretically, the US could produce all of its energy needs from wind and sun, but because of its variable nature it is probably practically limited to only 20% of capacity according to DOE. Beyond that level balancing load and supply is too difficult. Efficient, low cost storage of electricity could even out the bumps in alternative power supply. That is why researchers are looking into various means of storing electricity for later use. Scientific American examines several means of doing this, in an article by David Castelvecchi. An expert panel rated five storage methods for efficiency and cost: pumped hydro, compressed air, advanced batteries, thermal storage, and hydrogen electrolysis.

Pumped hydro is already in use and consequently rated highest by the reviewers with a 4 out of 5 for cost, efficiency and scalability. The idea is deceptively simple, but requires sites with unique topography. Basically a pumped hydro station requires two basins of water at different elevations connected by an underground pipe and pump station. The US stores about 20 gigawatts of energy using this method at 38 stations but that represents only 2% of capacity. Mountainous Japan leads the way with 10% of its generating capacity in pumped hydro. Excess electricity is used to pump water into the higher basin. When energy is needed, water is released from the high basin through the underground pipe which turns the pumping station's turbines to generate electricity and flows into the lower basin. Think of a water wheel turning a millstone; some ideas endure because they work well. The energy efficiency of the round trip can be as high as 80%. Low lying coastal countries like the Netherlands can use the same method by substituting an artificial island lagoon connected to the sea which acts as the upper reservoir. A clever design by Gravity Power of Santa Barbara, CA could potentially be used on flat ground next to a solar or wind farm. It employs a deep vertical shaft with a heavy cylindrical plug resting at the bottom. Water is pumped in beneath the cylinder using excess electricity. When electricity is needed, water under pressure from the plug is released through connected turbine shafts which generate electricity. There are green solutions, only the imagination and political will to find them is required.

'Toontime: Half Time in America

[credit Mike Keefe, the DenverPost]

The fabric of American democracy has become woefully threadbare in the 21st century, and anybody whose brain is not addled by mass media, drugs, or alcohol knows national politics is now exclusively a rich man's contest*. What awaits potential occupiers of Chicago to protest the G-8 meeting in May is machine mayor Rahm Emanuel armed with a historically violent police force, new draconian demonstration ordinances, video surveillance cameras hidden and airborne, and cordoned-off "free assembly areas" that in actually are police holding pens. Mr. Putin should be impressed. Similar plans are afoot for Tampa and Charlotte, the site of the party conventions later in the year. Both sides of the American duopoly are spending cash in unprecedented amounts to win the auction.

[credit: Adam Zyglis, the Buffalo News]

Wackydoodle sez, Smoke 'em!

*Americans for Prosperity, the political front organization of the Koch Brothers is spending $700,000 on television advertising to convince Wisconsinites to retain their union busting governor, Scott Walker, in the recall election now underway. Its only part of a "stand with Walker" campaign being financed by the Kochs. All told the election could cost as much as $70 million. According to Reuters, Walker's donors include rich conservatives like Bob Perry a Houston home builder who gave the governor $500,000. Hedge fund manager Bruce Kovner gave $100,000, and oil executive Trevor Rees-Jones also gave $100,000 to Walker's campaign to stay in office.

Democratic Politician Says Keystone XL "Meritorious"

Update: 802,120 signatures and 6,000 phone calls later, the Senate has backed off considering an amendment to the highway bill that would accelerate a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline. The messages from ordinary Americans were delivered on Tuesday [photo courtesy 350.org]. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) pledged to work against the pipeline. A vote on the amendment has only be delayed, not cancelled. Use this extra time to insure your Senators know how you feel about pouring more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.  Because your planet is at stake.

{13.02.12}Despite polling data showing Americans do not want the Keystone XL pipeline, Senators are preparing a bill to over ride the President's decision to put the project on hold. Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), chair of the Energy & Natural Resources Committee, told media he supported the project and that "the American public would like to see us go ahead with the project". The Senate is considering adding language forcing approval of the pipeline to the highway funding bill, considered to be one of the 'must pass' bills like the annual Defense Department appropriation. There are other Democratic senators that support the pipeline such as finance chair Max Baucus (D-MT) and budget chair Kent Conrad (D-ND) so readers need to call or write your senators and them not to pass the pipeline from hell "in my name"

Occupy Kochville!

As US Person has written before Charles G. and David H. Koch are the über rich (3rd and 4th richest in the US) scions of an ultraconservative tradition that stretches back to the Texas Panhandle at the turn of the 19th century. Their Dutch immigrant grandfather Harry Koch was a reactionary newspaper owner-editor that supported Jim Crow and railed endlessly against FDR's New Deal as a socialist conspiracy bent on the country's destruction. Their father help found the ultra-right wing John Birch Society; no doubt Harry turned in his grave when son, Fred C., built 15 refineries for Joseph Stalin. The brothers continue the family's radical political heritage using the huge profits of privately held Koch Industries, Inc. to fund right-wing causes and think tanks. Their money plays a major role in funding the "tea party" faction. Their money continues to support climate deniers, effectively stymying political action to reduce our damaging dependence on carboniferous fuels. The Keystone XL pipeline is but the latest example of their efforts* to keep America using carbon fuels by fast tracking the project's approval in the Senate over the disapproval of the President. But now, progressives are going to take the fight to the home court in Wichita, Kansas. On February 17th progressives in a coalition of interests will occupy the hometown of Koch Industries, Inc. to bring national attention to the radical political activities of the Koch oil barons that are usually veiled beneath layers of corporate structure and political infighting. You can help by participating directly at Wichita, or if you prefer by supporting those on the front lines by donating money to purchase essential supplies.

*Flint Hill Resources Canada won intervenor status at the National Energy Board hearings that led to Canada's approval of the pipeline.  The Koch Industries subsidiary told regulators it has a direct and substantial interest in the project.

Sumatra's Elephants at the Edge

WWF: young orphan 

The Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatrensis) is getting closer to extinction because of habitat on the Indonesian island loss to agricultural development.  Nearly have the elephant's population has been lost and 70% of its habitat in one generation.  IUCN has reclassified the subspecies from endangered to critically endangered on the Red List.  Only 2400 to 2800 still survive in the wild, and at the current rate of decline could be extinct in 30 years.  Outside of Sri Lanka and India, Sumatra is home to the most significant populations of Asian elephants left on the planet.  Sumatra has experienced the fastest deforestation rate in the elephant's range, loosing more than two-thirds of lowland forest in the past twenty-five years.  In Riau Province where palm oil plantations and pulp mills have permanently altered the landscape, elephants have declined by a staggering 80%.  Six of its nine herds are gone.  In Lampung Province, twelve herds counted in the 1980s have been reduced to three and only two are considered to be biologically viable.  Half of Sumatra was covered in forest as late as the mid 1980s with 44 elephant populations spread throughout. The Asian elephant joins the list of other critically endangered Indonesian species--orangutan, rhinoceros and tiger--all suffering from deforestation. WWF is recommending that all forest development be prohibited until an assessment of remaining habitat suitable for elephants is made and a conservation plan is in place.  Without action to save the elephant it is doomed to extinction in the wild.

McDonald's Tells Suppliers to Show Compassion

Responding to pressure from customers, McDonald's told its five direct suppliers of pork products they should submit

plans for phasing out gestational crates in which pregnant sows are confined for months unable to turn around. The inhumane practice is torture for pigs. Unable to lie down comfortably or turn leads to health problems including mental stress [photo credit: Humane Society of the US]. Around 60 to 70% of sows are kept in the 2x7 crates. The buying power of McDonald's puts punch behind the movement to give farm animals a more bearable existence before they are consumed by humans. The company required its egg suppliers to increase the amount of cage space devoted to laying hens in 1999. Other fast food companies followed its lead. Now a majority of egg producers are giving their hens more space. Pigs are hierarchical so when numbers are confined in pens there is inevitably fighting over food water and space. The crates are justified as a way to reduce injuries. Smithfield Foods and Cargill, two major corporate pork producers, have already begun reducing reliance on sow stalls. The Humane Society says Cargill is 50% stall free and Smithfield, the world's largest pork producer, has pledged to stop using the stalls by 2017 after an undercover investigation released video of pigs suffering in stalls. Hormel recently announced it will match Smithfield's pledge.

Greece Revolts

Update: There are increasing signs Greece will not be able to comply with the draconian austerity polices demanded by the EU. Several EU members--notably Germany, Holland and Finland--are expressing doubts that Greece should remain in the union. Meetings last week were abruptly cancelled amid spiraling distrust between Athens and creditors. Their skepticism is based on Greece's poor record of compliance with previous loan conditions. It promised to raise €50bn through privatization but that pledge has largely been ignored by a government riven with partisan infighting and politicians focused on the next election. Millions in taxes remain uncollected. One Greek minister said the country's economic and social system is exhausted. There is still no clear commitment from Greek coalition leaders about how the country will close a €325m funding gap. Antonis Samaras leader of the center-right refused to guarantee in writing that a deal cannot be revised following the April elections which enraged German policy makers. Bitter Greeks shot back by reminding EU leaders that Greece is the cradle of European civilization and nobody could eject it from its home. The EU is better financially prepared to absorb the shock of a Greek default and devolution two years into the sovereign debt crisis. Greece is sinking, its economy shrunk by 7% in the last quarter of 2011, so it may be wiser to cut it free. Going back to the drachma will be painful for Greeks like an addict going strait*. But once the pain subsides, Greece can rebuild its economy on an honest footing without having to go hat in hand to foreign creditors. Northern patience is running out as the deadline of 20 March approaches when €14.5bn in debt comes due.

{13.02.12}After their parliament voted to impose yet more economic sacrifice (199-74 in favor) on those they supposedly represent in favor of the new European aristocracy, Greeks took to the streets and engulfed the country in protests to express their disgust and displeasure with the European Union. Athens was the epicenter of revolt, but protests also reached the trendy havens of Corfu and Crete. At least 45 buildings in central Athens were burned out as demonstrators resorted to violence against the coalition government installed by EU leaders trying to cobble another round of draconian spending cuts to satisfy the demands of euro investors. The violence reached a peak Sunday night during which hundreds of protestors and security officers were injured. An estimated 80,000 people were in Athen's streets while 20,000 protested in the second city of Thessaloniki. A corps of black hooded anarchists called the Black Bloc movement took direct aim at police, as protesters looted and burned. One of the targets of the protester's wrath was an Athens underground cinema used by the Gestapo as a torture chamber during WWII.

Shares in Greek banks rose on the Monday opening, but the caretaker government faces an election by 2013. Voters are extremely unlikely to forgive politicians who voted for austerity measures after their minimum wage is cut from €751 to €600 a month, and their pensions and social services reduced. 150 thousand public sector jobs will be eliminated by 2015 with 15,000 cut this year. To add to voter grievances, the Greek economy is in recession with inflation and unemployment at 20%. Many in the middle class are falling into poverty. Despite the austerity measures it is still not clear whether the bailout money, which Germany will not allow to be paid until March, will be enough to bring Greece's debt load below 120% of GDP considered to be the maximum by international creditors. Currently the ratio is about 160%. Also, the bailout depends on the willingness of investors to swap their bonds for new ones at half their face value; many investors will not want to make a decision until new emergency funds are released by the EU. It is a crisis with a lot of moving parts, and the whole country could crash before it is put back together. As the head of a public sector union told Reuters, "The social explosion will come one way or another, there is nothing they [the politicians] can do about it any more." The biggest police union issued a statement saying there were limits to its tolerance for action against "our parents, our brothers, our children."

*Portugal, one of the so-called PIIGS, accepted economic austerity imposed by the EU and IMF, but it is finding out that the program is not working. Portugal is going deeper into debt. When it received the bailout money of $103 billion in May its debt to GDP ratio was 107%, by next year it is expected to rise to 118%. Like Greece, Portugal's economy is shrinking in a vicious circle of tight money and economic recession. Without growth, debt becomes nearly impossible to pay off without renegotiation of terms. Economic growth has depended to large extent on government spending and easy credit. So despite cutting Portugal's budget deficit by a third through spending and wage cuts, pension reductions and tax increases, the economy is expected to contract by 3% this year. On Saturday 100,000 people peacefully assembled in Lisbon's Palace Square to express their opposition to austerity measures and 13% unemployment. No riots yet, but dissatisfaction is growing as more unpopular measures are imposed.