And now for two things completely different:
Pipeline Online columnist Brian Crossman broke his leg, twice, after a hip surgery, giving him some insight into what’s going on in Saskatchewan’s health care system. I don’t think he’ll be climbing any derricks any time soon.
And years late, billions over budget, Georgia’s two new Westinghouse AP1000 reactors (big ones, not ‘small modular reactors’) are finally going online. And while the story doesn’t mention this, there’s a major Saskatchewan tie. These two reactors going overbudget bankrupted Westinghouse, one of two nuclear reactor pioneers in the US (the other being General Electric). As a result of that bankruptcy, eventually last year, Saskatoon-based Cameco bought 49% of Westinghouse for a song.
This model is currently being built in China and being considered for substantial deployment in Poland. Three of these reactors, alone, at the highest rating, could make up almost the entire generation needs of Saskatchewan on most winter days. But if one went down, it would take down a third of our grid, which is why we never built big reactors.
Re: acquiring a staph infection from this man’s surgery.
I also had a hip replacement 6 or 7 years ago. On the morning of my surgery, my surgeon stopped into the room where I was being prepped and asked if I had any questions or concerns. I flippantly answered that I hoped all the instruments and equipment were properly sterilized as my primary worry was contracting a deep body infection.
My Doctor laughed, and said this is America and you’re in a hospital. We’re all competent, experienced, and professional. You’re NOT gonna get an infection. Don’t worry. No, I didn’t get an infection, and recovered rapidly from an incredibly successful surgery.
Good thing I didn’t have the procedure done in Canada’s “world class” Socialized medicine system.
Brian is quite right; they are many years late and billions over budget. These were the deliberate, intentional consequences of a hostile Obama administration and a malevolent NRC Chairman at the time, Greg Jaczko, who were entirely in the hands of the antinuclear lobby. These conditions do not apply in Canada.
“But if one went down, it would take down a third of our grid, which is why we never built big reactors.” The same thing could be sad about Ontario Hydro if Bruce went down. Are numerous SMRs that are essentially untried more efficient than large reliable units?
Just build five and sell the surplus power outside the province.
Always build a significant amount of excess capacity. I like the 20% number. And then start building more about 10-15 years prior to hitting the projected point where that 20% excess reduces to zero and/or to handle decommissioning. Repeat as necessary.
Made in China?! Oh, swell.
I wonder how the biggest aircraft carrier in the world has two nuclear reactors powering a ship and we can’t have one to power a city? Think, these are on board a freaking ship. Subs are also powered by them. What useless bunch of twits are running things.