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NC WARN
Nuclear Plants Could Fail During Heat and Drought — Statement from Executive Director Jim Warren
Statement from Executive Director Jim Warren —
Don’t be surprised if Duke Energy soon reduces power generation from its nuclear fleet in the Carolinas as record-breaking drought and heatwaves continue across the region.
It’s happened in Europe. It happened in the US South a few years ago.
Each of Duke’s nuclear plants requires a vast amount of cool water – as much as a city – each day, both to produce steam for power and to prevent the reactor core from overheating.
When river and lake water get warmer and the levels drop, safety limits can require Shearon Harris and other plants to stop generating power.
The irony: As air conditioning becomes more vital to health and business in a rapidly warming world, the Achilles Heel of new nuclear is its need for massive amounts of cool water.
Duke leaders propose to bank our future on up to ten very large AP1000 reactors – the same model Duke failed six times trying to build between 2005 and 2017.
By contrast, solar plus battery storage (SPS) requires no water, is far cheaper and fairer to the people of North Carolina. Yet Duke leaders continue to stifle SPS.
We again call on Governor Josh Stein to press Duke Energy to finally begin a transition to renewable power.
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Now in its 38th year, NC WARN is building people power in the climate and energy justice movement to persuade or require Charlotte-based Duke Energy – one of the world’s largest climate polluters – to make a quick transition to renewable, affordable power generation and energy efficiency in order to avert climate tipping points and ongoing rate hikes.
The post Nuclear Plants Could Fail During Heat and Drought — Statement from Executive Director Jim Warren appeared first on NC WARN.
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