Kemper “Clean Coal” Fizzle Results in Lesson for Risky FOAK Projects
Another chapter has recently closed on one of the more troubled energy projects in the U.S., the Kemper County IGCC in Mississippi. At the request of the state’s Public Service Commission, Southern Company has given up on the portion of the project that involved lignite gasification – the process that was supposed to capture carbon […]
It’s Time Again for the Canadian Nuclear Association Conference
I’ll be attending the Canadian Nuclear Association Conference and Trade Show again this year, and I’m looking forward to another excellent show backing nuclear power in Canada. Last year’s conference was very informative, with a lot of excitement surrounding the Darlington and Bruce Power refurbishment projects. Combined, those two projects are expected to generate in […]
Quad Cities and Clinton Nuclear Reactors are Saved – What Does It Mean to the U.S. Nuclear Industry?
Some needed good news for the U.S. nuclear industry, which is struggling in some markets to stay price-competitive with low-cost natural gas, has come via the passage in Illinois of the Future Energy Jobs Bill (SB2814). The bill provides Exelon zero emission credits (ZEC) for continuing to operate its Clinton and Quad Cities nuclear plants […]
Energy Issues to Watch in a Trump Administration
During the 2016 presidential election campaign, Donald Trump vowed to dismantle much of President Obama’s policy regarding climate change. How much of the rhetoric from the campaign will become reality, and what can we expect from a President Trump on energy policy? It will be some time before we know for certain. However, narratives about […]
Six Tips for Implementing Earned Value Management for Project Owners
Earned value management (EVM) is a vital tool that contractors, construction managers, project managers and owners use to track, measure, and assess project progress and performance. EVM provides a set of leading indicators that are easily understood. With proper inputs, the tool can enable forecasting of schedule and budget performance and other significant performance trends. […]
U.K.’s Hinkley Point Nuclear Project Gets Green Light
Last week, the British government gave the go-ahead to Hinkley Point C, the U.K.’s first new nuclear power station in 20 years. In the announcement, Greg Clark, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, said nuclear power is an important element of Britain’s “future low-carbon energy security.” We agree. A decision to move […]
The Kemper ‘Clean Coal’ Project – Lessons Learned
As we stated in an article on the Kemper project last year, it was initially slated to cost $2.4 billion, but the price tag is now veering toward $7 billion. It’s also more than two years behind schedule, is plagued with layers of issues and problems and it not yet operative. So what can we […]
Acceptance of Nuclear Power Across North America Stands Divided
We have looked into the differences between the U.S. and Canada’s acceptance of nuclear power and each nation’s approach to its energy future. Recent data shows just how deep the divide is between our neighbors to the north. On March 21, 2016, Gallup published a new poll showing for the first time, a majority of […]
Innovation and Technology Big Focus as Canada Addresses Climate Change Strategy
Coming off the recent Paris Climate Summit, many nations are taking deeper looks at their long-term strategies to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gases. Led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Canada in particular is taking steps toward developing a climate change strategy. Trudeau is meeting with his minsters in early March to discuss and begin […]
Canadian Nuclear Association Conference: The Core of Canada’s Low-Carbon Future
I will be attending the 2016 Canadian Nuclear Association Conference and Trade Show in Ottawa, Ontario on February 24-26, 2016. This is an exciting time for the nuclear industry in Ontario with the Province’s recent approval of OPG’s Darlington Refurbishment Project and Bruce Power’s Refurbishment Project for its units 3-8. Through these projects, OPG and […]
