One of the big debates with respect to energy sources has to do with what is called baseload power. Baseload power is the minimum amount of power that the grid requires during a specified period, often per week. One major criticism of renewable power sources such as wind and solar is that they are intermittent and not able to reliably supply baseload power. One of the selling points of nuclear power plants is that they are always on and so can be relied upon to supply baseload power regardless of variations in the environment.
Nuclear power is having trouble competing with cheap baseload power from coal, oil and natural gas because of a glut on the market and low costs of the fossil fuels. Owners of nuclear power plants are trying to convince state governments to subsidize nuclear power plants for baseload power because they are responsible for much lower carbon emissions than fossil fuel plants. However, there is a growing concern that subsidizing nuclear power may pull funds away from supporting the growth of renewable sources of energy such as the wind and the sun.
Rick Perry, the new Secretary of Energy has charged his department with analyzing the question of baseload power sources and addressing the possibility that government regulations and support for alternative renewable energy sources may be threatening the baseload power requirements of the nation’s electric grid now supplied by fossil fuel and nuclear power plants.
In his memo to his department heads, Perry said that they needed to study “the extent to which continued regulatory burdens, as well as mandates and tax and subsidy policies, are responsible for forcing the premature retirement of baseload power plants. The result of this analysis will help the federal government formulate sound policies to protect the nation’s electric grid.”
Last Friday, the Advanced Energy Economy, American Wind Energy Association, and Solar Energy Industries Association sent a letter to Secretary Perry concerning the study he has called for. In the letter, they tell Perry that “In light of the importance of this inquiry, we encourage you to follow standard practice and conduct the study in an open and transparent manner.” They go on to point out that important studies such as this one should have an advisory panel of experts in energy-related issues and should have public input before a final draft is issued.
Today, a group of Democratic Senators led by Maria Cantwell from Washington State also sent a letter to Secretary Perry regarding the study. The Senators said that “The study, as you have framed it, appears to be intended to blame wind and solar power for the financial difficulties facing coal and nuclear electric generators and to suggest that renewable energy resources threaten the reliability of the grid. The notion that a 60-day review conducted by ideologues associated with a Koch brothers-affiliated think tank should supplant research and analysis conducted by the world’s foremost scientists and engineers would be a grave disservice to American taxpayers.”
Secretary Perry has not responded to these letters and concerns yet. His response and the conduct and conclusions of the study will indicate whether or not he will be as transparent and fair as requested.
