Subsidies are in the spotlight as fossil fuel industries hammer proposed Pennsylvania nuclear deal

[TexasTowelie]

Advocates for Pennsylvania’s influential natural gas and coal industries laid into the nuclear industry during a Monday hearing on Pennsylvania’s proposed nuclear deal that would treat the industry’s five plants like solar, wind, and other alternative energy producers.

Speaking to the House Consumer Affairs Committee, Rachel Gleason — executive director of the Pennsylvania Coal Alliance — said that “never once … has the coal industry come to the General Assembly to request a ratepayer funded subsidy” despite the closing of coal plants in the state.

She added that a proposal by Rep. Tom Mehaffie, R-Dauphin, would continue to tip the scales in favor of renewables and away from coal and other fossil fuels.

David Spigelmyer, head of the powerful Marcellus Shale Coalition, echoed Gleason in his testimony, calling for legislators to oppose any “subsidization” or “bailout” of the nuclear industry.

Read more: https://www.penncapital-star.com/energy-environment/subsidies-are-in-the-spotlight-as-fossil-fuel-industries-hammer-proposed-nuclear-deal/

[mr_lebowski]

1. Nuclear of course has other dangers, but it's minimally polluting esp. compared to coal

We need to keep Nukes in the mix until such time as we're able to scale up the other alternatives. It's also very useful as a 24/7 source of power for times when wind isn't blowing/sun isn't out/etc. We need to properly prioritize climate change at this point, and nukes essentially ARE 'alternative energy' in the sense of not producing CO2.

Big Coal may not have shown up asking for state subsidies (no idea if that's true) but they get MASSIVE subsidies from society simply by not having to pay for the health and climate change effects of their poisoning of humanity and the natural world.

Sorry but f*** the coal industry, let it DIE afaic. The huge Whale Oil industry died quite a while ago, and society survived. Lotta people worked in the Steam Engine industry too.

[DeminPennswoods]

2. Reportedly all but one of PA's nuclear plants are profitable

There is no need to subsidize them.

IMO, this entire legislation is for the benefit of First Energy's Bruce Mansfield nuclear plant that is slated for closure. Ironically, it's not far from the new Shell cracker plant that will absorb any laid off plant employees and then some.