By Don Marpe Not many years ago, there was a rumor of resurgence in the nuclear industry, and several companies started planning to add additional nuclear plants to their existing fleet. Then came shale oil and fracking. The new abundance of natural gas drove down the costs associated with natural gas generated electricity. This resulted […]
Ron Rowley (BCP Engineers and Consultants, President) attended the 62nd annual NEA gathering in Washington D.C. last month, and he wanted to share some of his thoughts on what was discussed there. You can check the NEA website at www.nei.org and stream some of the presentations to draw your own conclusions. Most of the industry […]
In today’s world, clean energy is not only popular; it is going to be king. The question is a matter of when and how clean energy will rule, not if clean energy will dominate the power industry. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will produce a final ruling on its Clean Power Plan coming this summer, […]
Late last year a Research and Development case highlighted the importance of understanding the subtleties of qualifying software R&D claims. The case, the United States of America vs. Davenport, Civil Action No.: 3:09-CV-2455-L reached judgment in the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division of the U.S. District Court ruled in favor of the IRS over […]
Thimble Puller BCP’s Plant Services Division has been working on fine tuning two new products that are immediately available for use by utility clients for their Incore Flux Thimble needs. The first is a lightweight hand tool called the ‘Thimble Puller’. The Puller is a manually operated device that can be used to aid in […]
Our last article focused on new EPA regulations that are prompting significant research and development activities for most utilities. We’ve also written in the past regarding the expected impact of the Japanese accident at Fukushima on the Nuclear Industry and new R&D that will be performed. Here’s an update on expected areas that will require […]
There was a study done that looked at the impact of deploying a single piece of technology to improve the efficient use of electric power in the office environment. Looking at an individual workstation at state government business offices in Maine, it was determined that 1.80 kilowatt-hours daily on work days and 2.88 KWH on […]
As you are likely aware, the Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credit has yet to be renewed for the 2010 tax year. Historically, the tax credit has expired and been retroactively renewed five times in its brief history. While there are no certainties, it is highly likely that the R&D Tax Credit will be renewed […]
We hear this debate rage about how US has lost its “nuclear prowess” to countries like China, Japan, South Korean and EU countries. I must admit I feel some angst when looking at the peaceful use of nuclear power that began as an industry in the US and see countries taking that technology and deploying […]
In the last article, Part 1, the need for a robust Configuration Management System (CMS) was established. It is true for all nuclear plants and particular important for the new plants being proposed. The new plants as programmed for design and construction with compressed schedules and consortia development teams are at particular risk to cost […]
