Michael Catalini reports in a subtley bias way that New Jersey residents could see their energy bills rise up to $41 annually (which is not much) to help bailout (but should call it financial support to avoid using climate-unfriendly coal or fossil fuels) to maintain the nuclear power plants under legislation lawmakers unveiled Friday, part of an effort the state’s biggest energy company says is needed to rescue a major part of the state’s energy grid (which is a good thing, it should be emphasized).
PSEG said that its two nuclear plants account for between 40 and 50 percent of electricity production in New Jersey, but are in danger of becoming financially unviable within two years (becaseu of cheap fossil fuels (natural gas and coal) They said that would cost the state 1,600 jobs. The company estimates ratepayers could pay up to almost $31 to $41 annually under the legislation. Another estimate from the New Jersey Division of Rate Counsel, an independent advocate for consumers appointed by the governor, put the figure at closer to $41 a year....but so what? That's not a big deal.
The estimates mean the measure could carry an overall cost of roughly $240 million to $320 million annually, although the reporter is making it sound like that is a lot of money but multiply population by $40 and you would arrive at such a number. Why the exaggeration here? ... subtle bias. The financial rescue effort (should call it support), which has been done in other states like New York and Illinois as well, has garnered significant opposition (bias alert ..."significant"?) from consumer groups and environmental organizations, (who, by the way, are often supported by the fossil fuel industry or by the wind or solar industries to oppose nuclear power development.)
“This bill is a direct subsidy from the ratepayers hidden in gobbledygook,” said New Jersey Sierra Club director Jeff Tittel (Of course he would say that because his paycheck depends on membership dues, not because anything he claims has any factual basis).
A spokesman for PSEG said the company welcomes the legislation and said it would continue talking with lawmakers about the proposal as it advances. “We’re happy that New Jersey lawmakers have recognized the urgency of the matter,” PSEG spokesman Michael Jennings said. “We’re pleased that they have taken the time to listen and understand the nature of the problem.” Jennings also said the cost of the rescue package would fall below what the company estimates ratepayers would face if nuclear plants closed. The legislation establishes what it calls nuclear diversity certificate under the state’s utility regulator, the Board of Public Utilities.
Among the requirements under the legislation, nuclear plants would have to show they make a significant contribution to energy diversity in the state, turn over financial data showing that a particular plant faces closing, and certify annually that the plant does not get other federal or regional subsidies or credits. Nuclear operators would also have to pay up to $250,000 for an application fee....talk about unfair trade practices....
In return, the legislation would require the state’s electric utilities to pay nuclear power plants that receive the diversity certificates. The bill sets that cost at four-tenths of a penny per kilowatt hour. The rate counsel says average usage is around 850 kilowatt hours a month. PSEG put the figure at closer to 650 kilowatt hours. (So what? The reporter is in the weeds of distraction). But the legislation includes a formula that says payment would cover the number of certificates multiplied by the percentage of electricity the utility distributed in the state compared to other utilities.....(favoring fossil fuel of course)
New Jersey has three nuclear facilities, with PSEG Nuclear operating the Salem and Hope Creek power stations. The third, Oyster Creek, is run by Exelon and slated to close in 2019. The legislation comes as Republican Gov. Chris Christie prepares to turn power over to Democratic Gov.-elect Phil Murphy and as lawmakers get set for a new session, including a new Assembly speaker. The lame-duck period can include complicated, last-minute legislation that officials hope to rush through, mostly because there’s no election hanging over them, experts say.
The legislation comes as the new administration pushes for regulations to protect the coal and nuclear industries, and as the regional marketplace that New Jersey is part of, known as PJM, is also considering protections for nuclear,(which would be a good thing). A TV, radio and online ad campaign has also emerged surrounding the issue in New Jersey, with PSEG financing commercials touting the value of nuclear power and the AARP backing ads showing people concerned over higher utility bills....("concerned"? Another bias alert here intended to make people uncomfortable about the subject of supporting nuclear power ....or not.)
The bias indicated above even extends to the mining of the fuel for nuclear power plants, which includes similar approaches by adversarial groups. For additional information, see: http://i2mconsultants.com/downloads/corp/ConfrontingBias.pdf )
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