Major Nuclear Plant May Be Closed by Drought -- Time to Adapt

[Dry Observer]

The Ledger reports (http://www.theledger.com/article/20071201/NEWS/712010359/1036):
"...low lake and river levels threaten to close a major nuclear power plant near Charlotte, N.C., by next spring. Drought threatens to strand intake pipes necessary for the plant's backup safety system.

"Conditions in counties such as Buncombe, Gaston and Mecklenburg - three of 28 in North Carolina to bear an "exceptional drought" designation - already have forced cutbacks at hydroelectric plants.

"'Major drought impacts were being felt across central and western North Carolina, where 14 local water systems have less than 100 days of water supply,' stated a summary last week from the U.S. Drought Monitor. "The reservoirs that feed the population centers of the Piedmont Triangle region were nearing record lows.'"

While I think it should be self-evident that global warming is here, and here to stay, I wish more people (including denialists) would at least respond to the basic threats we're already dealing with. This collapse in water supplies means a lot of steam-turbine-based power will be less and less viable... which means we need massive investments in whatever renewable energy architecture we can get now.

Research is great, too, but these effects are already upon us. It's time to adapt now, rather than adapt-or-die later.

[Cam63]

Yep to that.

[kingdom2000]

yep sucks to be in the south right now waterwise.

To bad that flood water in the west couldn't have just stayed in the clouds and dropped a more then a few inches here.

[Crowley]

The hydrogen engine arrived just in time:

http://automobiles.honda.com/fcx-clarity/?from=fcx.honda.com

[Cam63]

We're getting some rain here in either specks or monsoonal downpours ( usually where it's least needed ).

I've been told January and February will be good months for rain, so fingers crossed.

[Rik Levins]

The hydrogen engine arrived just in time:

http://automobiles.honda.com/fcx-clarity/?from=fcx.honda.com

Ah, yes, the hydrogen fuel cell.

Unfortunately, the only (cost-effective) way to make hydrogen is by splitting it off from natural gas--a fossil fuel--thereby producing more pollution than you would get by just using the natural gas itself to power a car.

Of course, you can make hydrogen by electrolysis (running an electrical current through water, splitting it into hydrogen and oxygen). Alas, this process is so energy-intensive that it costs far, far more than just using the electricity itself to power an electric car.

Some scientists are working on strains of genetically-engineered bacteria which show potential for being able to produce hydrogen without consuming massive amounts of power; if this is ever perfected then fuel cells might someday become practical. But that's a mighty big IF, and for now, they're not much more than an advertising gimmick.

[Shisho]

The Ledger reports (http://www.theledger.com/article/20071201/NEWS/712010359/1036):
"...low lake and river levels threaten to close a major nuclear power plant near Charlotte, N.C., by next spring. Drought threatens to strand intake pipes necessary for the plant's backup safety system.

"Conditions in counties such as Buncombe, Gaston and Mecklenburg - three of 28 in North Carolina to bear an "exceptional drought" designation - already have forced cutbacks at hydroelectric plants.

"'Major drought impacts were being felt across central and western North Carolina, where 14 local water systems have less than 100 days of water supply,' stated a summary last week from the U.S. Drought Monitor. "The reservoirs that feed the population centers of the Piedmont Triangle region were nearing record lows.'"

While I think it should be self-evident that global warming is here, and here to stay, I wish more people (including denialists) would at least respond to the basic threats we're already dealing with. This collapse in water supplies means a lot of steam-turbine-based power will be less and less viable... which means we need massive investments in whatever renewable energy architecture we can get now.

Research is great, too, but these effects are already upon us. It's time to adapt now, rather than adapt-or-die later.

Yeah, it's freaking me out a little. My uncle works for Duke Energy, and his job may be affected because of the shutdown. They're talking about major water restrictions, down to showers and such. Normally about this time of the year, I'm praying for a snow day so that I can get a day off of work. Now I'm just hoping for any kind of wet weather.

[LewisH]

birth control. Less people using less resources equals less pollution and greenhouse gases. Not gonna happen though. Too many people can't do math. However, if people won't do it voluntarily the planet looks like it's gonna do it for them. Sooner or later Thomas Malthus will be proven right.

[Dry Observer]

We're getting some rain here in either specks or monsoonal downpours ( usually where it's least needed ).

I've been told January and February will be good months for rain, so fingers crossed.

Good to hear, Cam. Australia's situation got pretty desperate last summer, and the last thing we need is a drought that tips the balance to the point of shutting down her largest agricultural area and forcing the evacuation of cities containing 3 million of her citizens. (Both of which nearly happened.)

From what I've read, the country is getting increasingly serious about dealing with both the drought and global warming, which is a very hopeful sign.