Monday, February 1, 2021

Grand Gulf Nuclear is Key Energy Asset

 Mississippi Energy Institute President Patrick Sullivan authored this sponsored post.

A local writer recently questioned Mississippi’s need for the Grand Gulf Nuclear Station in Port Gibson. The writer cites the cost and duration of recent upgrades and outages at the facility as reason to question its economic benefits to Entergy Mississippi’s almost half million customers.

Brought online in 1985, the 1,443-megawatt plant has been an energy and economic powerhouse for Mississippi. For years, it was the lowest cost energy in the State of Mississippi and efforts are under way to continue this trend for years to come.

From a local economic perspective, Entergy residential customers are paying some of the lowest electricity rates offered in the U.S. With Grand Gulf in its generation mix, Entergy Mississippi recently celebrated more than a decade of residential rates well below the state and national averages -- recently hitting 24% below the U.S. average. In 2016, Entergy Mississippi had the second lowest rates of all investor-owned utilities in the U.S.

As for jobs and tax revenue, Grand Gulf employs over 700 at the plant with another 300-person office for Entergy’s national nuclear headquarters in north Jackson. These are the types of high-paying blue and white collar jobs that are not replaceable when gone. While the facility is in Claiborne County, taxes paid by Grand Gulf span 45 counties, providing a steady, significant local revenue stream for more than half of Mississippi counties.

In 2016, after an extensive review of all segments of the plant, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) granted Entergy a 20-year license extension of Grand Gulf through 2044. That is great news for our state and the local community. 

 


To prepare for that extended life, Entergy has embarked on an extensive, multi-year set of upgrades to support the plant operating safely, securely and reliably for the long-term. As with any set of complex engineering projects -- especially on the largest single-unit nuclear power plant in the country and fifth largest in the world -- some of those upgrades have gone as planned and some have taken longer than expected.

All the while, as per Mississippi’s citizen/professional regulatory model, the Mississippi Public Utilities Staff hired consultants to review the costs while the elected Commissioners have received regular briefings on the progress and challenges. In addition, the NRC continues to monitor and review Grand Gulf to ensure it operates safely and reliably and has recently acknowledged the challenges associated with the upgrades.

Ultimately, Grand Gulf’s emissions-free, clean power is more important looking ahead. With the change of Administrations, carbon dioxide emissions is at the forefront of energy and environmental policy debates. What is coming in the form of new federal laws or regulation is not exactly known, but we know the aim will be for lower emissions. With Grand Gulf being, by a long shot, the largest emissions-free generation source in Mississippi, taking this asset out of production would be punitive for the state under whatever new scheme is developed for air emissions restrictions. Further, many corporations are increasingly looking to site new facilities in areas where there is access to low-priced, emissions-free power. There is no better time to invest in the continuation of Grand Gulf as part of Entergy Mississippi’s power portfolio to complement the other types of generation from natural gas or solar.

Over the last 35 years, Grand Gulf Nuclear Station has proven to be a cost-effective facility with enormous economic benefit. Despite recent challenges, Grand Gulf should and will continue to be a beneficial part of Mississippi’s energy and economic future well into the future.

 


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Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
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