Except, of course, when they’re apparently not.
(The assertion, by the by, that nuclear and coal-fired plants are immune to natural disasters and can just keep on chugging out energy in case of one, appears to be dubious, e.g. ,, https://www.nirs.org/wp-content/uploads/factsheets/naturaldisaster&nuclearpower.pdf .)
Originally shared by +Stan Pedzick:
I love how so called “free market” conservatives will do the complete opposite at the drop of a hat. Also, this should provide much entertainment as the entire power industry sues the DOE so that they do not have to raise rates to buy expensive power.
Of course, the easiest solution, the one that conservatives will not do, would be to buy and operate the aging expensive facilities themselves if they were so concerned about it. The USBR already operates almost every major hydro facility in the US, so it would be easy for them to drop a billion dollars to buy these plants and maintain and run them in case of an emergency.
Trump Prepares Lifeline for Money-Losing Coal Power Plants
Trump administration officials are making plans to order grid operators to buy electricity from struggling coal and nuclear plants in an effort to extend their life, a move that could represent an unprecedented intervention into U.S. energy markets.
The federal government in Australia is currently trying to force an energy company to keep a coal-fired power station open. They're also urging on an economically unfeasible coal-mining project which will have to be supported by public subsidy.
These Stalinist lunacies are being perpetrated by the Australian cognates of the US Republican party. The ones who rail against socialism.