World:
¶ Changes in the energy market are happening faster than anyone predicted. Solar and wind are not only achieving grid parity, but “plug parity,” meaning that individuals can get electricity cheaper by making their own at their own homes using renewable resources. [RenewEconomy]
¶ In Portugal, 62% of electric consumption was supplied by renewables in January, 2013. Hydro power supplied 31%, and wind provided 26%, with other sources supplying the rest. [The Portugal News]
¶ The company running the UK’s Sellafield nuclear site has pleaded guilty to charges relating to illegal dumping of four bags of low-level nuclear waste. [BBC News]
US:
¶ Of new power generating installations in 2012, 42% were windpower, and 55% were renewable. Windpower had the greatest share of all power sources. [Greentech Media]
¶ The CEO of Exelon says subsidies for wind power could lead to Exelon closing its nuclear plants. [Chicago Tribune]
¶ California grid operators are planning for a second summer without power from San Onofre. [Reuters]
¶ Business analysts say Duke’s decision to close Crystal River indicates a soft market for nuclear. Four other plants are particularly at risk, the foremost being Vermont Yankee. [Worcester Telegram]
… Exelon is also having problems with a soft market and high costs of nuclear plants. The dividend has been cut by 41%. [Chicago Business Journal]
¶ The Vermont legislature is considering ways to make sure the owner of Vermont Yankee stand by promises to restore the plant’s site to green field status after it shuts down. [Vermont Public Radio]
¶ A solar array is up and running at the site of a former Vermont race track in Pownal. The array produces 2.2 MW at maximum. [Ct Post]
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