August 18 NEC Energy News
¶ “A Study With 300,000 Workers In The Nuclear Industry Suggests An Increased Risk Of Death From Cancer” • Prolonged exposure to low doses of ionizing radiation is associated with a higher risk of death from cancer than was previously thought, according to a study of nearly 310,000 nuclear industry workers in France, the UK, and the US. [EL PAÍS English]
¶ “France To Reduce Nuclear Power Generation Due To Heat Wave” • Two nuclear plants along the Rhone River in France may have to reduce power generation beginning this weekend due to a persisting heatwave, an official said. The high temperatures have increased the river water temperature above the thresholds for use in cooling. [La Prensa Latina]
¶ “Why electric bills are going up due to Vogtle” • You may have noticed a jump in your electric bill recently. The weather and higher fuel costs definitely play a role, but some of the hike is to pay for the expansion of Plant Vogtle near Waynesboro. Plant Vogtle’s new Unit 3 is operating, and Unit 4 is to be online soon. But they are billions over budget. [WRDW]
¶ “How Canada’s Wildfires Are Warming The Stratosphere” • Research has shown that wildfires’ likelihood and intensity have already increased due to human-caused global warming. There is still a lot we don’t understand about these powerful phenomena, however. Not least is the ability of wildfires to alter and disrupt climate systems long after they die out. [BBC]
¶ “America’s Richest 10% Are Responsible For 40% Of Its Planet-Heating Pollution” • America’s wealthiest people are also some of the world’s biggest polluters, not only because of their massive homes and private jets, but because of the fossil fuels generated by the companies they invest their money in, a study published in the journal PLOS Climate shows. [CNN]
¶ “Snake season starts early as unusually high temperatures hit Australia” • Snakes are active in warm weather, and as Australia’s east coast experiences one of its warmest winters on record, snake season appears to have started early. The Australian Reptile Park has issued an “urgent warning” for people to be on the look out for venomous snakes. [CNN]
¶ “Yellowknife Evacuees Turned Away From Full Flights” • Angry residents of Yellowknife, who had waited in hours-long queues to board flights out on Thursday, were told by officials to try again on Friday or Saturday, the day the wildfire could reach the city. Canada’s two major airlines are also facing criticism over soaring air fares and rescheduling fees. [BBC]
¶ “Ford And SK On To Build $1.2 Billion Battery Materials Plant In Quebec” • Ford and China’s CATL made an unconventional deal on battery technology, but Ford is not placing all its eggs in one basket. It has forged ties with SK On, a South Korean battery company, to build a number of battery factories in the US, and at least one plant in Quebec. [CleanTechnica]
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