So, about 5 years the time frame for approval for a COL?
I remember the recent article, here locally, where Progress wanted to add 2 new reactors to Harris, but there has not been any followups or announcements. The MSM just doesn't seem to coordinate very well good news with the related 'doom and gloom' about oil prices.
Do you, or anyone else know about if there are new plans for better homeowner tax breaks to encourage solar installations for residential / commercial properties? I figure that the solar panel/steel roof combo can be very appealing in architectural aspects as well as durability and energy savings. Preheating water for hot water and preheating air for home heating makes a lot of sense. Haven't seen a tankless hot water installation combined a solar preheated water tank as of yet for residential use. Imagine the energy savings on that concept.
There are a few solar assist manufacturers, however, this month's Popular Mechanics details one you can build yourself. I used to have one when I lived in Texas. Why ask for a tax break to install one? If it makes economic sense, then go ahead and install it. Usually the economics work out only in the southern and southwestern states where hot water is made using electric heaters.
Yeah, 5 years approval is due this time to manpower constraints in the NRC. Like the nuke biz everwhere in the US, it is suffering from a massive wave of retirements and has only recently started hiring lots of new college grads. The plants themselves are to be turnkey and modular, and are expected to take 5 years to complete. This time, there will be NO customization, standard plant only (No Coke, Pepsi). We don't expect to get started building until 2010, as it will take us a couple of years to finish the detailed designs and get manufacturers and construction craft ready.
http://www.ap1000.westinghousenuclear.com/