National Grid Drops China

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/britain-s-national-grid-drops-china-based-supplier-over-cyber-security-fears-ft/ar-AA1lCEVS

Just a quick note on this story. I am happy that they are making this move, but having worked with them in the past they have major cultural issues to over come as well. They are using good tools to secure their networks, but tools aren’t the end all be all. Tools augment the human element, with out the human talent you can not be secure!

China vs NS Savannah

https://www.eurasiantimes.com/largest-nuclear-container-ship-design-breaks-cover-at-chinas/?amp

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NS_Savannah

The US had a nuclear powered cargo ship in the 1950s the NS Savannah. Operation costs as well as non proliferation concerns ultimately was its down fall. It is clear that the CCP does not share in these concerns. The US has and has had the technology to compete the question is one of will. Will the US in light of China start to see its own nuclear merchant fleet? The American Bureau of Shipping (eagle.org) https://ww2.eagle.org/en/innovation-and-technology/technology-advancements/nuclear-energy.html has plans if the regulators will allow it.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/nuclear-ship-savannah-atoms-for-peace

US to Close Coal Plants by 2035

https://www.lmtonline.com/news/world/article/us-joins-in-other-nations-in-swearing-off-coal-18528616.php

If you are a regular listener to Just Two Good Old Boys then you already know my background. However, for those who are new or do not listen. I have spent a large portion of my career in the US Electric industry and I have a bit of standing to offer an opinion on this topic.

If this holds true new and clean coal plants like Luminant’s Oak Grove power plant will be shut down long before they are no longer economically viable. Oak Grove has a local mine sites that can provide decades of cheep fuel. This will not only impact the reliability of the ERCOT grid but it will also have a devastating impact on the local economy. Oak Grove and its associated mine sites employ approximately 1000 people.

~Ben