Nah, probably not at least that is what I feel Fishgrease would say.
There seems to be so much of the story on the Oilpocalypse that is being swept under the rug. I don't know why. I am beginning to believe that this country is truly an Oligarchy and it is critical for them that the public not be made aware of the true horror story unfolding on the seabed off the coast of Louisiana. I think we all can pretty much agree that other than Ed Schultz there is very little coverage by the TM on the biggest ecological threat the world has ever known.
The only snippet of a story that IMO is not being told other than BY AM850 a radio station in Gainesville Florida follows below. (Apologies to any Kossacks that may have already diary this story.)
http://www.am850.com/...
As the oil off Louisiana’s coast continues to threaten wildlife, tourism, and the fishing industry, nuclear power plants along Florida’s Gulf coast are also on edge. Progress Energy spokeswoman Susan Grant says that while forecasts look good now, they are definitely preparing for the worst at locations like their Crystal River Nuclear Plant. Grant says their coastal plants are already somewhat prepared because of standard precautions already in place. She says Progress Energy is taking no chances considering the potentially devastating effects of oil entering their plants. Aside from the Crystal River Nuclear complex in Citrus County, Progress Energy is making preparations at their Anclote Plant in Pasco County and their Bartlow Plant in Pinellas County.
I went to the web sites of Turkey Point Nuclear Power plant that serves 450,000 customers in South Florida and to Progress Energy which operates three Nuclear Power Plants in Florida, one in South Carolina and two in North Carolina. These plants provide power for 3.5 million customers in NC and FL. Neither web site mentions the Gulf Oil Catastrophe although Progress Energy did issue a press release which appears to have been ignored by the press. It is interesting to note that the Crystal River Power Plant complex also includes 4 coal power generating plants and natural gas backup. Turkey Point does not appear to have backup such as Crystal River.
Folks, it is the rainy season in Florida and it is getting hot. If the oil gets into the canals and other waterways near these plants they must be shut down. There are a lot of people that are going to suffer when the worst comes to pass, especially if the oily/dispersant froth makes breathing the air dangerous and people are encouraged to stay inside. You can not survive in a house with no air conditioning and or open windows in the Florida heat. It would be like being in a larger version of a locked car in the summer heat.
Turkey Points gets the water per the below snippet from their FAQ page, and I am going to assume that these canals are open to the ocean as American Crocodiles are thriving at this location and they need salt and fresh water. And of course the Manatee, especially in winter loves the heat in the water that these plants generate.
Water used in the reactor and most other plant systems is piped in from the Miami-Dade municipal water supply. We then purify the water at the plant to reduce mineral deposits that could otherwise reduce equipment efficiency and we test the water quality routinely in the plant's on-site laboratory. A separate supply of water that cools the turbine steam supply for reuse comes from a unique, closed system of 36 interconnected canals. The canals act like a giant radiator to cool the water in a two-day, 168-mile journey before it is circulated back to the condenser for reuse.
Progress Energy did release a statement, so they are coordinating with authorities. See the entire release below. Interesting to note that part of the plan is booming. Do we know if they know how to use the fucking booms? I surely hope so if not send them off to Booming School.
Progress Energy Florida prepared for possible oil spill impact
5/5/2010
Plans in place to protect vital electric generation equipment
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (May 5, 2010) – Progress Energy Florida is working to ensure the company is prepared in the event oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico reaches the company’s coastal power plants. The company is monitoring the oil slick and tracking the path and projected impact area. Current models do not indicate that the oil slick will reach Progress Energy’s coastal power plants, but the company is prepared in case the path shifts.
"We are in communication with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection,Coast Guard, local governments and other authorities, as well as our oil spill-response contractor and are ready to respond," said Vincent Dolan president and CEO of Progress Energy Florida. "Our coastal power plants maintain a boom system for their canals. If the oil approaches our plants, we will work with our oil spill-response contractor to augment the existing protective measures."
The company is also working with other utilities to share information and best practices learned from previous spills that have impacted power plants.
Progress Energy Florida operates four power plants on the Gulf Coast. Three of these plants have intake canals: Anclote power plant in Holiday (Pasco County), the Crystal River Energy Complex in Crystal River (Citrus County) and the Bartow power plant in St. Petersburg (Pinellas County). Intake canals bring water from the Gulf of Mexico to the plants. The water is used for cooling purposes and returned to the canals. A fourth coastal plant, the Bayboro power plant, in St. Petersburg, has a barge canal used for fuel delivery.
Progress Energy has strong internal systems and a comprehensive emergency-planning process dedicated to ensuring safe and reliable power. The company also has vast experience in staging and logistics, field communications, emergency preparedness, environmental issues and resource management. In addition, Progress Energy is a recognized utility leader in storm response planning and restoration.
Progress Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Progress Energy (NYSE: PGN), provides electricity and related services to more than 1.6 million customers in Florida. The company is headquartered in St. Petersburg, Fla., and serves a territory encompassing more than 20,000 square miles, including the cities of St. Petersburg and Clearwater, as well as the Central Florida area surrounding Orlando. Progress Energy Florida is pursuing a balanced approach to meeting the future energy needs of the region. That balance includes increased energy-efficiency programs, investments in renewable energy technologies and a state-of-the-art electricity system. For more information about Progress Energy, visit www.progress-energy.com.
Because Daily Kos has the most amazing Diarists and Commenter's on this issue and is the main source I go to find information on the Gulf Oil disaster I am hoping that this issue will be explored and analyzed by the sharp scientific minds that are here. I am not a scientist, heck I am barely technical(I can grow a beautiful plant or whip up a soufflé like nobody’s business however)so I will not be able to explain these issues as well as I would like but I am learning thanks to some of the Greats on this site. And I must get back to work before my ass get's fired.
Turkey Point
Crystal River
American Crocodile
Manatee