U.S. nuclear plant says shielded against Japan emergency

A U.S. nuclear plant in Alabama similar in design to the earthquake-hit Fukushima facility in Japan has multiple defenses to prevent and tackle the same kind of emergency, its operator said. Safety features at the Browns Ferry plant in northern Alabama are so superior to those at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi plant that even in the event of massive... 

U.S. nuclear agency plans safety review of reactors

The top U.S. nuclear regulator on Wednesday approved the launch of a safety review of U.S. nuclear reactors sought by President Barack Obama in response to the ongoing crisis at Japan’s Fukushima plant. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission voted to create an agency task force made up of current and former commission experts that will review the information... 

Japan radiation leak evokes Three Mile Island

The radiation leak in Japan immediately recalls memories of accidents at the Chernobyl and Three Mile Island power stations, and how it unfolds will be a critical test for international acceptance of nuclear energy. The Fukushima incident, brought on by the biggest earthquake ever recorded in Japan, took a turn for the worse on Saturday after a blast... 

W2 Modifies the SunFilter 1 Reactor to Operate 300% More Efficiently on New Algae Strain

W2 Energy, Inc., a clean energy company is pleased to announce that as of March 1, it has converted the SunFilter 1 algae reactor to use Euglena Gracilis, a more efficient strain of algae. The Euglena Gracilis strain of algae grows in fresh water rather than saltwater, and can sequester 40% of the carbon dioxide dissolved in the water. The previously... 

Peabody Energy Announces New Business Development and Law Appointments

Peabody Energy announced today two new leadership appointments: Murray Hundleby has been named Vice President and Chief Legal Officer – Australia, and Rebecca L. Kujawa has been promoted to Vice President – Business Development. In this new position, Hundleby will lead the law department supporting Peabody’s Australian business platform from... 

Beaver Valley Unit 2 Begins Refueling

FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company announced its Beaver Valley Power Station Unit 2 in Shippingport, Pa., shut down earlier today for scheduled refueling and maintenance. While the unit is off line, 64 of the 157 fuel assemblies will be replaced and numerous safety inspections will be conducted. In addition, preventative maintenance to ensure continued... 

Energy Expert and Former Regulator Issues Statement on Oscar® Nominated Documentary Gasland

John Hanger, immediate past secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, former member of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, and nationally-recognized expert on energy, the economy, and the environment, issued a statement today on his blog about the documentary “Gasland,” nominated for an Academy Award to be awarded... 

Homeowners Need Incentives for Energy Improvements

If a recent national poll is any indication, home energy improvements stand to take a big hit in the coming year. The survey released last week by the Shelton Group, indicates federal energy saving incentives and rebates were the primary motivating factor behind Americans decisions to make energy efficiency changes to their homes. This news comes just... 

Viridian Energy Brings Affordable Clean Energy to the Big Apple

Viridian Energy, a leading provider of affordable, green retail energy, today announced the launch of its services in New York City and the surrounding area. Viridian’s NYC launch is the most recent expansion in the company’s rapid growth and development, which includes ten markets in five states in just 17 months. Entrance into the nation’s single... 

Progress Energy CEO Johnson Urges Flexibility and Customer Protection in Implementing EPA Rules

The U.S. electric utility industry faces an “unprecedented convergence of new federal environmental rules – unprecedented in scope of change and compression of deadlines,” Progress Energy Chairman, President and CEO Bill Johnson told utility regulators Monday in Washington. And the “current fragmented approach, coupled with rapid-compliance...