Energy Biz - March/April 2008 - (Page 12) » FINaNCIal FRONT Nuclear in idaho one projecT advanceS by LISa cohn AlternAte energy holdings of Eagle, Idaho is committed to building a 1,600-megawatt, $4.5 billion nuclear and biofuels plant near Grand View, Idaho. However, MidAmerican Nuclear Energy Co. in late January pulled out of its proposed nuclear plant in Idaho, saying it would be too expensive. Many in Idaho, as do citizens elsewhere, wonder about the future of nuclear power in their state. Companies interested in building nuclear plants are attracted to Idaho in part because the state welcomes them. Paul Kjellander, administrator of the Idaho Office of Energy Resources, said, “We’re open and receptive to nuclear plants. We’re encouraged by AEH’s project and disappointed MidAmerican pulled the plug.” The state is receptive because it sees nuclear power as one of the best opportunities for acquiring baseload power with no carbon footprint, he said. Idaho does not now offer incentives for nuclear plant developers, he said. However, it has little oversight over the siting process – a factor that attracts coal and nuclear developers, environmentalists say. However, for MidAmerican – a subsidiary of MidAmerican Energy Holding, of Des Moines, Iowa – nuclear power did not pencil out. Bill Fehrman, president of MidAmerican Nuclear Energy, said, “Once we arrived at a view of the market and a view of this project, we determined from an economic perspective that it would not be good for our customers.” High demand for nuclear plants pushed the price up too high, noted Kjellander. NewsFlash “We don’t have any Yucca intention of pursuing other Mountain Funds nuclear plants right now,” said The federal government Fehrman. “We will continue to has earmarked monitor the industry. We firmly $494.7 million for believe nuclear energy must be the Yucca Mountain part of this country’s future.” nuclear waste storage He added, “As we go forward project. The proposal is expected to draw fierce with a push for a society that debate, reports the Las is trying to minimize the impact Vegas Review-Journal. on our environment, nuclear Sen. Harry Reid, energy is one of the few ways D-Nev., said, “Despite the fact Congress cut his of generating electricity without proposal by $108 million generating carbon dioxide.” last year, President Bush That’s also the view of requested $495 million AEH, which has proposed again this year. Clearly, the Idaho Energy Complex he will not get that funding.” near Grand View, a merThe secretary of chant plant that would sell energy said that the electricity in Idaho and the Yucca Mountain federal West. “We’re in this for license application will be completed this year. the long haul,” said Martin Johncox, a spokesman for Idaho Energy Complex Corp. “We were here one year before MidAmerican. We will be here after they leave. We intend to move forward, and hope to submit a combined license application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission by the end of the year.” The company is working with Unistar Nuclear, according to a letter it submitted to the NRC. It plans to use an evolutionary pressurized water reactor designed by Areva Nuclear Power, said the letter. AEH intends to use excess heat from the nuclear plant to produce biofuels, Johncox said. “One-third of the cost of biofuels processing is keeping the biofuels warm. We’ll use excess heat from the nuclear plant to do that.” AEH believes it can produce biofuels for $1 a gallon. Corn and dairy waste are two possible resources for the plant. “We also want to provide economic opportunities for people in the area. If someone wants to operate a green- 12 E n E rgyB i z March/April 2008 http://www.energycentral.com
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.