Kemp, J. (2016, November 14). Old and worn out, U.S. coal-fired power plants easy prey for

gas: Kemp. Retrieved November 20, 2016, from,

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-coal-kemp-idUSKBN13920C

This article discusses how Obama’s administration is to blame for the closings of coal-fired power plants. More than 400 power units have been closed down, and about 33,000 jobs have been lost. This is hazardous because coal now only accounts for about a third of generated electricity in the United States. People blame Obama because of the “war on coal,” and that he is fighting for solar powered energy instead of coal and gas powered energy. It is going to get worse for coal-fired power plants, as their numbers are currently declining, according to the article.

I am happy that the coal-fired power units are being closed down because it help reduce air pollution. With fewer power plants, it would be much easier to save the environment and prevent further damage to the air we breath. I understand the tragedy of all those lost job, however I believe that they should find a job that is still local where they spend their efforts in doing something more environmentally friendly. These critics of Obama need to realize that his actions are for the greater good, and will pay off in the long run.

Hopkins, J.S. (2016, November 18). Maryland’s plea to EPA: Make out-of-state power plants run

pollution controls. The Center for Public Integrity. Retrieved November 20, 2016, from      

https://www.publicintegrity.org/2016/11/18/20475/maryland-s-plea-epa-make-out-state-power-plants-run-pollution-controls

This article talks about the implementation of nineteen new power plants across the east coast, including three in southwest Indiana. The state of Maryland was outraged, and made a plea to the EPA, begging coal-fired power plants to run their control equipment throughout the summer. Ten of the nineteen stated power plants were reviewed and identified as “super polluters,” because they were ranked within the top 100 of U.S. industrial sites for toxic material emitted into the air. I believe Maryland has the right to do so because these power plants are of great danger to the air.

I think that they should not implement these power plants because they can cause great damage to the environment. This world already has polluted the air enough, and we already have an abundance of coal-fired power plants, so why build and install more? It’s a waste of time, money and land, and they can use that money for better purposes that actually save the environment rather than destroy it.

Funk, J. (2016, November 8). FirstEnergy to sell or close power plants if Ohio, Pennsylvania do

not return to regulated rates. Retrieved November 20, 2016, from,

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2016/11/firstenergy_to_sell_or_close_p.ht

This article bases its central idea about a power plant company being sold in Cleveland, Ohio. The company is called FirstEnergy, and they are seriously considering selling their business due to tough competition, unless the states of Ohio and Pennsylvania support them and regulate them in setting prices or creating a “regulation-like structure for them.” That company just cannot afford to compete with today’s power prices. The prices of gas-fired power plants and wind powered farms have decreased dramatically, and FirstEnergy just cannot keep up. Without the support of Ohio and Pennsylvania, they cannot continue their business.

I think this is just an act of incompetence in the business world. Business leaders are expected to keep up with the immense competition, however FirstEnergy clearly did not demonstrate this. After reading the entire article and based off the reasons for their closure, I think it is almost entirely their fault for running out of business. Since they could not keep up with the competition, they had to call support from someone else so that they can keep up with the competition.

Cosier, S. (2016, November 17). Could power plant waste help cut water pollution? Science.

Retrieved November 20, 2016, from

http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/11/could-power-plant-waste-help-cut-water-pollution

This article talks about how Dan Johnson’s farm, based in Cambellsport, Wisconsin, receives a lot of river water, where it “ trickles through his crop fields, then beneath a small white structure where a pump sucks up small water samples.” The point of this article is to conduct an experiment to see if power plant waste can actually cut down on water pollution. Polluted runoff on Johnson’s farm is high, which is why they are testing this. The results from nearby coal plants found that gypsum helps phosphorous levels remain constant within his soil.  

I personally thought that power plant waste was nothing but a toxicant to this world, just like other human produced waste products. After reading this article and trying to piece together the experiment, I was astonished to find that something that pollutes the world can be environmentally beneficial.

Cassell, B. (2016, November 14). Gas-fired power plants make progress in fall 2016. Electric

Light & Power. Retrieved November 20, 2016, from,

http://www.elp.com/articles/2016/11/gas-fired-power-plants-make-progress-in-fall-2016.html

This article consists of many project highlights that all discuss power plant issues and business affairs. One project highlight that stood out to me the most was the one about The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. Last December 7, they proposed an “air permit for a new natural gas-fired combined-cycle electric power plant for Indeck Niles.” This plant will be featured with the latest technologies that employ higher temperatures to achieve optimal efficiency methods.

I think that this method with new technologies is very useful when it comes to taking forward steps in saving the environment. I think it is really cool to see power plants striving towards environmentally efficient methods, especially with the levels of air pollution the human race has caused. To be honest, I think that it takes a lot of money and work to achieve this, and not very many people will cooperate in taking these steps. However, I still think it can be done.

Harthrorne, M. (2016 October, 21). US Has New Nuclear Reactor for First Time in 20 Years.

Retrieved From

http://www.newser.com/story/232899/first-us-nuclear-reactor-of-21st-century-completed.html

The first commercial power plant of the twenty-first century, Watts Bar, was just completed in Tennessee. The plant’s construction began in 1973, with the first reactor being completed in 1996. The second reactor was finally completed in October 2016, and the plant is fully functional after a 43 year long project, becoming the seventh nuclear power plant for Tennessee. The second reactor reportedly took over $4.7 billion to build, with the project going over budget by billions of dollars. The new reactor is scheduled to provide energy for 40 years to 650,000 homes of US citizens. It has taken the spot as the 100th commercial reactor in the United States, and Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander hopes to see another 100 nuclear plants built across America, but the Tennessee Valley Authority does not plan to build any more in their state.

I am glad to see this project come to a close and the presence of nuclear power in Tennessee. Senator Lamar Alexander said that he favors nuclear energy because it “provides cheap, carbon free, and reliable electricity,” and I agree with this statement. Many states are reverting to carbon emissions because they are cheaper than nuclear power, however they are horrific for the environment. The new power plant will produce emission free energy to over 650,000 homes and create many jobs, which will be great for the people of Tennessee. I think that the United States should follow Tennessee’s example and utilize more nuclear energy rather than depending on carbon-emitting sources of energy.

Behr, P. (2016, November 17). Nuclear Closures Magnify US Climate Challenge for Trump.

Retrieved From http://www.eenews.net/stories/1060045903

The future of nuclear energy is very unclear at this moment in time. The new president-elect Donald Trump wishes to stray away from clean energy such as nuclear power because it is not the future of America’s energy. Not believing in global warming, he campaigned on the idea of returning the majority of United States energy to coal and natural gas, a much less expensive energy source than nuclear energy. This would result in the shutting down of many nuclear power plants throughout the nation and much more carbon-emissions to come.

I hope that the United States will stick with carbon free emissions rather than resorting to the excessive use of coal and natural gas. I do believe that global warming is a real thing that must be dealt with so that we do not destroy our environment. If we use coal and natural gas, our carbon emissions will be unbelievably high, and the destruction of our planet’s atmosphere will be soon to follow. In my opinion, we need to prioritize our environment over the cost of energy, because the future consequences of forsaking our environmental destruction may be catastrophic.

Morris, F. (2016, October 24). Waste, Families Left Behind As Nuclear Plants Close.

Retrieved From

http://www.npr.org/2016/10/24/498842677/waste-families-left-behind-as-nuclear-plants-close

The Fort Calhoun power plant in Nebraska was recently closed last month. It was supposed to run until the year 2033, yet recent financial issues has caused its discontinuation. The plant has produced sustainable energy for 43 years, and was commissioned to continue producing energy for another 17 years. The closing was due to the cheaper energy alternatives, such as natural gas, solar and wind, but the closing will cost an estimated $1.5 billion and result in thousands of lost jobs. In addition, the area around Fort Calhoun will have to deal with the consequences of nuclear waste being stored in the decommissioned plant because government sites for storage of nuclear waste have not been completed yet. The closing of the plant will cause surrounding civilians to pay for the waste without the benefits of receiving energy, high-paying jobs, or tax benefits for using nuclear energy.

I think that this closing is not just. Even though nuclear power is expensive, it creates energy and numerous jobs for people. The closing of the plant in the Fort Calhoun area will send ripple effects for future generations in the area. Many people have lost their jobs, and the remaining people in the area must deal with the danger of stored nuclear waste in their area. The plant should have remained active for the remaining 17 years that it was commissioned to run so that the people could reap the benefits of a power plant in their area. Yet, now they must deal with layoffs, halted tax breaks, and the potential danger posed from nuclear waste.  

Plumer, B. (2016, November 3). The US keeps shutting down nuclear power plants and

replacing them with coal or gas. Retrieved From

http://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2016/11/3/13499278/nuclear-retirements-coal-gas

Over the past three years, the United States has lost five nuclear power plants in favor of cheap natural gas. Power plants still provide about 19 % of the nation’s energy, and the closing down of power plants has severely affected the United States’ energy production. This loss of energy due to the closing of plants has led to more burning of coal and natural gas, which is worse for the environment than the emission-free nuclear power. By the year 2030, seven more reactors may be shut down, and 75% of the energy produced by these reactors may be compensated by the use of coal and natural gas. The use of greenhouse gas emitting fuels would be at an all time high in many different regions of the United States.

I think that the United States needs to support nuclear power plants as an energy source. It is a clean, carbon-free source of energy that has provided power for millions of people in the US. If we are going to stray away from nuclear power, we must compensate with an energy source that is just as clean, or cleaner, but we cannot revert to coal and natural gas. This conversion would wreak havoc on the environment and cause numerous new problems for our nation’s future.