Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Environment & Energy
Related: About this forumFormer Exelon CEO says Exelon should shut those reactors
Extended excerpt by permission
Former Exelon CEO says Exelon should shut those reactors
Former Exelon CEO John Rowe says things current Exelon executives would rather not hear.
Current Exelon executives put their fingers in their ears when former Exelon CEO John Rowe (above) speaks.
Exelon executives must feel like former Exelon CEO John Rowe is kind of like the crazy uncle who has to be invited to the party even though whenever he opens his mouth to speak the entire room will cringe.
The problem for Exelon is that Rowe isnt crazy, and he has been speaking out a lot, especially in the past week.
Last Friday, we linked to one interview he gave recently where he said he would have been quicker to close Exelons uneconomic reactors than the current Exelon regimewhich still hasnt closed them and is still floundering around trying to get someone, anyone, to order ratepayers to bail them out. So far, unsuccessfully.
Yesterday, E&E Publishing ran another interview with Rowe, which expands on his thoughts and surely caused unpleasant abdominal pains and teeth-gnashing in Exelons executive suite and boardroom. You see, Rowe is one of those retired execs whose stature has only grown since he left the company and his thoughts carry weight, especially in Illinois. And hes still got some clout, perhaps more than Exelon itself these days: for example, hes actually friends with Chicago Mayor and former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, unlike the current Exelon suits.
So heres what Rowe said about Exelons uneconomic reactors:
He went on to say that his former colleagues at Exelon have to figure this out for themselves, adding:
As for the idea that EPAs Clean Power Plan should encourage nuclear power:
Now, before you get the idea that Rowe has become some kind of green or anti-nuclear crusader...
http://safeenergy.org/2015/07/28/former-exelon-ceo-says-exelon/#more-13480Former Exelon CEO John Rowe says things current Exelon executives would rather not hear.
Current Exelon executives put their fingers in their ears when former Exelon CEO John Rowe (above) speaks.
Exelon executives must feel like former Exelon CEO John Rowe is kind of like the crazy uncle who has to be invited to the party even though whenever he opens his mouth to speak the entire room will cringe.
The problem for Exelon is that Rowe isnt crazy, and he has been speaking out a lot, especially in the past week.
Last Friday, we linked to one interview he gave recently where he said he would have been quicker to close Exelons uneconomic reactors than the current Exelon regimewhich still hasnt closed them and is still floundering around trying to get someone, anyone, to order ratepayers to bail them out. So far, unsuccessfully.
Yesterday, E&E Publishing ran another interview with Rowe, which expands on his thoughts and surely caused unpleasant abdominal pains and teeth-gnashing in Exelons executive suite and boardroom. You see, Rowe is one of those retired execs whose stature has only grown since he left the company and his thoughts carry weight, especially in Illinois. And hes still got some clout, perhaps more than Exelon itself these days: for example, hes actually friends with Chicago Mayor and former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, unlike the current Exelon suits.
So heres what Rowe said about Exelons uneconomic reactors:
Im living in a fairy world because I dont have the numbers and Im not responsible for them anymore. But in my opinion, you shut those three plants down. You say they have become uneconomic just like some old coal plants are uneconomic. And in a world thats driven by unfriendly market prices and unfriendly public policy, you shut them down.
He went on to say that his former colleagues at Exelon have to figure this out for themselves, adding:
I love nuclear power plants. For [current Exelon CEO] Chris Crane, its his life. He would probably go further to keep a plant running than I would go. I dont believe theres anything divine about markets, but I believe theyre pretty important .
In some ways, I believe the only way a utility has credibility in saying that something isnt making any money is if its actually willing to shut it down. If I were there, I think Id have shut the New Jersey plant [Oyster Creek] down first. Its the oldest, its the smallest, and it would have given credibility to what Exelon is saying about the other four. Nuclear power plants have been shut down before around the country.
As for the idea that EPAs Clean Power Plan should encourage nuclear power:
I dont think its EPAs job to encourage a new nuclear world. I think that would be one of the most expensive solutions it could pursue.
Now, before you get the idea that Rowe has become some kind of green or anti-nuclear crusader...
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
0 replies, 502 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (2)
ReplyReply to this post