Nuclear Power Remains a Good Energy Option

Though many Americans are probably doubtful when it comes to nuclear power after what happened in Japan, there are still many benefits of nuclear that simply cannot be ignored. When stacked against coal burning plants or new “green” options like wind and solar, nuclear power plants are hard to beat.

If we shut down nuclear power plants, they would have to be replaced by fossil fuel plants that emit large amounts of carbon dioxide. This is already taking place in Germany, where seven nuclear plants have already been shut down for “evaluation” after the events in Japan. As a result, coal will fill the gap until the nuclear plants are put back on line.

Hopefully, the United States will not be scared into following in Germany’s footsteps. Turning away from nuclear power would be a shame, because doing so would only result in a higher use of fossil fuels as a means of electricity production. Options like wind and solar power simply cannot replace nuclear due to their inefficiency and huge land requirements. For example, one nuclear reactor generates as much power as many acres of wind turbines, and does so efficiently, not depending on if the wind is blowing.

What many forget is that the nuclear plants in Japan survived the huge 9.0 magnitude earthquake, one stronger than they were designed for, without many ill effects. The problem was caused by the fact that the tsunami took out the electrical grid, causing the pumps for the cooling system to lose power. Because the water wasn’t being circulated, it quickly overheated and boiled off. Also remember that the Fukushima reactors were built in the late 1960s and are thus more than 40 years old. Like everything else, reactor design has improved since then, especially when it comes to safety.

All energy sources have their drawbacks, and nuclear power is no exception. However, when compared to other types of power plants, nuclear plants have a lot of good attributes. For example, plants that burn coal and other fossil fuels are big polluters when compared to nuclear, and alternative energy options like wind and solar simply aren’t efficient enough to rely on, and take up much more space.

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Newly Proposed Fees for Electric Car Owners

Obviously, one of the top reasons for purchasing and driving an electric car is to save money on gasoline. However, some have pointed out that because drivers of electric vehicles do not purchase gasoline, they also avoid the gasoline tax that goes toward covering the state’s road construction and maintenance.

In Oregon, the state’s Road User Fee Task Force recommended a piece of tax legislation to force electric car owners to pay the road maintenance and construction taxes. Just recently, House Bill 2328 was put before the Oregon Legislature. This bill suggests that electric car owners pay a vehicle usage charge, starting with both fully electric and gas-electric hybrids in the model year 2014.

Even though just mentioning this idea is enough to make electric car owners and supporters upset, many find House Bill 2328 to be a fairly reasonable proposition. Taking a look into the bill, the so called “vehicle usage charges” are not at all outrageous and still leave room for savings over driving a gasoline powered vehicle by far. With only a 0.6 cent per mile tax, you could go ten thousand miles for just a bit over $50 in fees.

Still, one part of this concept that still needs major development is how mileage will be tracked. While the idea of using GPS technology to track drivers’ mileage has been kicked around, most Americans are opposed to this idea, and understandably so. Though mileage could be checked yearly by the state instead of remotely through GPS, the question that then arises is what to do about miles not driven in the state of Oregon. If the state simply left it to drivers to record the miles they drove outside of the state, giving false mileage information to avoid the taxes would be too easy.

Though House Bill 2328 may not be the answer to taxing electric vehicles, it is definite proof that the popularity of electric vehicles is gaining momentum and provisions must be taken to adapt to a growing amount of electric and gas-electric hybrids. It will be interesting to see what legislative action lies in the future for electric car owners.

If you found this article informative, read more on alternative energy here.

Tata Power Tries To Sell 500MW At High Rates

After threatening to disconnect 500MW power supply to the RInfra’s consumers in suburban Mumbai, Tata Power is desperate to sell power at market rates in the power market; however, they are yet to be successful. MSEDCL has rejected their offer to buy power at market rates and has taken a firm stand of buying power from them, if only offered at the regulated rates and not at market rates.

The mockery of the entire issue is that TPC, which is planning to disconnect power supply of suburban consumers, is trying to sell the same power to suburban consumers only, but at much higher rates of Rs.5.5 to Rs.7 per unit. Currently, the GoM has intervened resulting in TPC seen continuing power supply power to RInfra.

RInfra has raised its objection to the issue of selling Mumbai power outside and earning super normal profits at Mumbaikar’s cost, as this power is specifically generated and meant, only to cater Mumbai needs and Tata’s Trombay project, from where the power comes, has been built through the tariff contributions of Mumbaites.

The Mumbai Grahak Punchayat (MGP) has expressed its dissatisfaction over the issue and has demanded that the Mumbai power should remain with Mumbai only

Surprisingly, Tata Power, when it had objected upcoming of Saphale power project proposed by RInfra (the then BSES), said in the Mumbai HC as well as to the GoM that being a bulk licensee for Mumbai, its their prerogative to cater Mumbai’s power needs and hence nobody else should be allowed to bring and sell power in Mumbai from any other project other than their own.

However, now the Company has backed out from its own commitments and by pointing fingers towards the provisions in EA2003, now they are stating that they are allowed to sell power anywhere in the country.

In fact, the State Governments of Delhi, Orissa and Karnataka have issued strict directives to the generators in their respective states to keep their power supply in the respective states grids only to meet the states’ demand first and refrain themselves from selling it out.

The consumer forums are expressing surprise and overall dissatisfaction for no such action on the issue by the MERC and GoM uptil now.

The Tata’s balance sheet itself reveals that the Mumbai consumers have contributed a sum of around Rs.533 Crores for upcoming of its Trombay power station. When contacted, Advocate Shirish Deshpande of Mumbai Grahak Punchayat said, “Selling power outside Mumbai and/or offering the same to Mumbai, but at higher market rates is definitely incorrect and agonizing, especially when Mumbai itself is under shortages of power. Why the GoM is still silent, when other States are acting in the interest of their respective consumers?

Read more local news on Prahaar Marathi News. Learn more about the Power struggle in Mumbai

Scottsdale Home Solar Panels: Are They Worth The Cost

If you were driving through a residential area of Scottsdale solar panels would not be a likely sight. Solar energy is a free and clean technology. Free in that you are getting energy from the sun. This energy is also renewable. Unfortunately, installing and maintaining panels is not cheap.

The idea of home solar panels is to capture the sun’s energy to feed electricity to your home. In other states that would be fantastic during the summer months, your electricity bill would be lower and you would be earning electricity credits from your utility company. Then when the winter hits and you need to crank up your heating system those credits come into play to balance out your winter bills.

Maybe I watch too many movies, but I associate Scottsdale with a scene showing an orange color terrain. The sun is beating down on cracked clay and a scorpion walking across the screen. Mind you I know this is probably not the case in most parts of Arizona but if it were then Scottsdale should be able to be powered by the sun forever. But the truth is home solar panels are not a common scene in Scottsdale.

Tax credits are being offered by the government to get people on board with green energy. However that is not enough incentive due to the high cost of the panels even with the credits. The normal household cannot come up with that kind of money in hopes of making it back over the years in lower electrical costs. The ones benefiting from this technology are the large companies.

There are different beliefs about these panels. They are not maintenance free as solar companies would have you believe. Also they tend to crack over time. Some say that they work better in cooler sunnier climates than in scorching hot ones.

Arizona’s utility company is getting on the band wagon. They are offering free solar panel installation to a small number of customers to entice other customers in the future. Renewable energy requirements are not being met and this project will help them meet their goals.

Learn more about solar panels. Stop by Terry Stafford’s site where you can find out all about california solar and what it can do for you.

Plan How To Get Efficient Home Heating

The costs for energy and specifically heating varies greatly. The further north you are, the higher the bill tends to be for obvious reasons. One great way to save on your heating bill is to make a few changes to your home that will improve its efficiency.

Upgrading an Existing Home

There are a number of ways to improve the heating efficiency of your current home. The best way is to keep cold air out of your house in the first place. Sealing air leaks is the most cost efficient way to increase home energy savings. Weather stripping and caulk will seal gaps around windows and doors, but outlets and recessed lighting fixtures can also be sources of air leaks.

The very ducts your heated air travels in could also be a suspected source of heat loss. With your hard earned dollars leaking out of your ducts, you can easily lose enough money to pay your bill twice over. Make sure your ducts are in good shape with a visual inspection and repair any leaks with duct tape.

Insulation is key to squeezing every dime out of your energy budget and it all starts with your furnace and air conditioner. Having the right sized heating or cooling device is important because too small of a heater and your furnace will never turn off, too big and it will turn on and off too much which shortens the life span. The insulation of your home is very important too and depending on your area, you may need to adjust your insulation materials accordingly. Make sure that you have all the heating and cooling appliances you purchase or update, installed by a reputable and qualified professional.

Plan For The Highest Degree Of Success

If you’re considering building a new house, take advantage of the planning stages to create efficient home heating. Correctly orienting your house will allow you to benefit from passive solar heating. A south facing house with correctly sized eaves will gain extra warmth in the winter, but remain shaded during the summer. As with an existing home, correctly sizing your heating and cooling system will result in home energy savings. Make sure that you consider your climate, the size and complexity of the floor plan and your home’s orientation.

Using the natural lay of the land and strategically planting trees around your home can have a two-fold effect. The first effect is that your home is shaded in the summer so that the sun doesn’t heat it up too much, and in the winter the leaves will drop off and allow the heating rays of the sun right into your windows. Now, keep in mind, that is if you use deciduous trees. To incorporate evergreen trees remember to plan on using them as windbreaks or only in areas you will need shade.

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