By Ron Ulmer
While the proposed shut down of the 1,000 Mega-Watt Clinton Nuclear Power Plant has attracted much attention, a recent small article in the Pantagraph stated that Dynegy Midwest Generation planned to shut down three coal units, two at Baldwin and 1 at Newton thereby reducing the power on the grid by an additional 1,835 Mega-Watts, not including the shutting down of the Wood River power plant earlier this year.
Are we going to have enough electricity to meet demand in Central and Southern Illinois in the near future? What is replacing the loss of coal and nuclear electric supply? Answer, heavily subsidized windmills and solar panels,natural gas, conservation, and the continued loss of manufacturing. Let’s take a brief look at each.
Windmill production is subject to too little and too much wind to operate and solar panels are subject to clouds and darkness thereby making both sources unreliable. Natural gas is plentiful, inexpensive and less polluting than coal thereby increasing its share of electric production. Conservation through innovative technology continues to offer large opportunities to reduce electric consumption without sacrificing employment or the standard of living. Manufacturing continues its downward spiral caused by US income tax laws, environmental policies as well as continued currency manipulation and theft of American technology by foreign entities.
Will we have enough electricity to meet the future demand for electricity for homes, schools and businesses? I do know continuing to close down reliable baseload nuclear and coal plants, without reliable replacement would result in a stagnant or shrinking economy, fewer people employed, a lower standard of living, more government dependency and most likely brown outs and blackouts.
I do know that the future is now. We need to immediately begin a serious public discussion regarding a safe, reliable and adequate electric supply. The discussion needs to the include energy producers and distributors, regulators, citizens,politicians and commercial and industrial consumers. I urge everyone to become informed and involved in this needed public discussion before we bump into each other in the dark.
Ron Ulmer is an economist, have taught economics/finance at 3 central Illinois universities and employed by Illinois Power as a Senior Rate Analyst, supervisor of economic research, Market Program Manager. Now retired, Current member Normal Kiwanis, past 25 year member Optimist International Service Club, Property owner and manager in Normal for 37 years ongoing.
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