Weekly News Roundup
CAPP NEWS ROUNDUP
December 21, 2009 through December 28, 2009
Industry News
Energy futures spike; pump prices still flat
By Mark Williams
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
December 23, 2009
Holiday travelers can expect gasoline prices to remain steady into the new year even though energy futures spiked Wednesday on a big drawdown of crude and gasoline supplies.
Is it meltdown for NRG’s plans to build more Texas reactors?
By Elizabeth Souder
Dallas Morning News
December 24, 2009
CPS Energy, San Antonio's electricity company, sued NRG Energy for $32 billion because of contractual disputes involving the expansion of the South Texas Project nuclear power facility. CPS owns a stake in the facility, which NRG also owns and operates.
Loans to Boost Nuclear Industry Seen Coming Soon
By Reuters
CNBC
December 28, 2009
The Obama administration is poised to announce loan guarantees to help kick-start the country's nuclear power industry, which hasn't built a new plant in more than three decades.
CPS seeks $32 billion in STP damages
By Anton Caputo
San Antonio Express-News
December 24, 2009
CPS Energy and its partner traded high-dollar blows Wednesday in the growing legal battle over the nuclear project. Nuclear Innovation North America, CPS Energy's partner, claimed San Antonio's utility was in breach of contract and should lose the hundreds of millions it invested if it didn't agree soon to keep funding the deal.
Everyone wins with voluntary solar program
By Mike Villarreal
San Antonio Express-News
December 24, 2009
Texans care about conserving energy, but investing in solar power has not — up until now — made economic sense for most of us. We are a pragmatic people. But imagine if putting solar panels on our houses or even geothermal systems did not require a big upfront cost, lowered our monthly energy bills immediately, and could be paid off over time at the lowest interest rates.
Loan Program May Stir Dormant Nuclear Industry
By Matthew L. Wald
New York Times
December 24, 2009
Yet the pendulum may be swinging back. The 104 plants now running have sharply raised their output, emboldening utilities across the country to make a case for building new ones.