Dismaying news from Wisconsin in October; the Kewaunee nuclear power plant, which began operation in 1974 and had an operating license to 2033, is being shut down permanently by Dominion Power, which owns it.
The reason? Burning natural gas (which is not good for the planet, I must note) is cheaper.
Even though having a functioning power plant that doesn't pollute is a good thing, the company cites economics as the reason for their decision.
" The plant has become uneconomical because of low natural gas prices, and the boom in domestic natural gas production tied to hydraulic fracturing, or fracking." [So in addition to emissions, we also have to worry about earthquakes and groundwater pollution from fracking. Great Choice.]
"Those low natural gas prices have prompted other utilities to shift more of their power generation fleets to natural gas from coal."
There still might be a chance it could remain operating, because there will be a grid stability review.
"The plan to shut the plant down is dependent on a grid reliability review to be conducted by the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Dominion said."Dominion says Kewaunee nuclear plant will shut down for good
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