By Jonathan Bauer, for the Institute for Market Transformation. – February 17
Since mid-2016, the challenges facing the nation’s nuclear fleet have
only grown more pressing. Natural gas prices, despite recent volatility,
remain very low, keeping nuclear revenues in competitive electricity
markets low. Nuclear plants continue to announce retirement decisions,
with the 2.2 MW 2-unit Indian Point retirement by mid-2021 being
especially notable considering its current profitability. More than 10%
of the U.S.’s 2010 nuclear fleet is now retired or scheduled to retire
within the next 8 years. Faced with the loss of the largest zero carbon
electricity source in the country, states are taking the lead in
maintaining struggling nuclear facilities. Since New York finalized its
ZEC program, Illinois has provided similar targeted nuclear support as
part of broader energy legislation. Other states are considering
following suit. While state action may be the most likely
policy solution for struggling nuclear units, regional or federal policy
solutions offer different and more comprehensive changes. Increasingly,
regulatory power over utility-scale electricity generation has shifted
from the states to FERC. Read on...http://www.theenergycollective.com/ryanfreed/2398603/green-bonds-care-massive-uptick
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