Sign our letter to Senator Aric Nesbitt to Author Resolution Recognizing Palisades’ Carbon Credit-Worthiness
The Climate Coalition has drafted a letter to Michigan State Senator Aric Nesbitt urging him to submit a resolution to the Michigan Legislature declaring Palisades to be a legitimate issuer of nuclear carbon offsets. The letter is self-explanatory and would simply recognize that Palisades, in qualifying for the DOE’s new Civil Nuclear Credit (CNC) program, has been found to be an imminently “at risk” source of clean energy. Therefore, it should be able to participate in the normal carbon offset market and be able to sell carbon credits to voluntary purchasers as a way to generate the cashflow that can enable it to remain viable prior to when the CNC funding becomes available.
We are soliciting support for this letter and accepting signatures through May 20th and then will present Sen. Nesbitt with the signed letter. Please join us in supporting this letter and share with other Michiganders as well as over social media.
(To help spread the word, tweet using with the hashtag #SavePalisades and
#PalisadesCarbonCredit and link to this page.)
May ___, 2022
Senator Aric Nesbitt
c/o Josh Przygocki
Director of Constituent Relations
P.O. BOx 30036
Lansing, Michigan 48909-7536
Re: Proposed Voluntary Nuclear Carbon Offset Recognized by the State of Michigan
Dear Senator Nesbitt,
As you are aware, on April 20, 2022, Governor Whitmer wrote to Secretary Granholm [1] of the U.S. Department of Energy to inform her that Michigan intends to qualify Palisades for funding through the $6 billion Civil Nuclear Credit (CNC) [2] authorized in H.R. 3684 – 117th Congress (2021-2022): Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Governor Whitmer wrote, “. . . I intend to do everything I can to keep this plant [Palisades Nuclear Generating Station] open, protect jobs, and expand clean energy production.” In the last sentence, Governor Whitmer stated, “I will work with anyone to get this done.” As concerned residents of Michigan, we believe in the merits of keeping Palisades in operation and support Governor Whitmer on this critical, non-partisan issue.
Level the Playing Field
To stay open, Palisades and all U.S. nuclear plants scheduled to close prematurely, require an ability to compete on what is still a non-level playing field. Right now, energy markets do not reward Palisades for delivering clean energy, nor do the markets penalize natural gas for producing carbon emissions. Additionally, while other sources of clean energy, particularly solar and wind, can generate separate revenue streams by selling carbon credits to the voluntary carbon market, up until now, nuclear has been precluded from benefiting from these supportive revenue streams.
Today’s carbon credit markets are mostly voluntary and unregulated. Buyers pay to voluntarily offset their unavoidable carbon emissions to show their commitment to reducing their impacts on climate change. They are obligated to assess which carbon offsets they select to ensure their purchases have a real impact. Of course, most carbon credits have very doubtful benefits. A typical carbon credit may be to pay to plant trees. The calculation estimates how much carbon would be sequestered by a mature tree—however, there is great uncertainty as to whether that planted tree will grow successfully. Nevertheless, people buy such credits to showcase their climate commitment.
This commitment to the climate is becoming more popular and people are considering nuclear power once again. Soon after Governor Whitmer wrote her letter to Secretary Granholm, California Governor Newsom made a similar pledge to save the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant by applying to the DOE’s new CNC program.[3] It seems the war in Ukraine, climate change concerns, and rising energy prices are causing a re-evaluation of the role nuclear power should play in our lives moving forward.
The CNC concept can help to level the playing field for threatened nuclear power plants with a federally funded form of “carbon credit.” In qualifying, Palisades will have to effectively prove “additionality,” which establishes that without the CNC funding, Palisades’ clean energy will be lost and replaced by fossil fuels. This is the essence of what constitutes a carbon credit in the normal voluntary carbon market. Therefore, if Palisades qualifies for the CNC’s federal funding, that should serve to verify its clean generation for the voluntary carbon credit markets, the majority of which are far less ascertainable than saving clean nuclear power.
Help Make Palisades a CNC Pioneer
Palisades is likely to be the first nuclear plant in the nation to qualify under the new CNC. We therefore propose a state-based resolution officially recognizing Palisades Nuclear Generating Station as a legitimate source to sell carbon offsets. Because Palisades resides in the 26th District, and your support for nuclear power is well known, we believe you can play a critical role in keeping Palisades operating by submitting a resolution to the legislature for official recognition of Palisade’s right to sell carbon offsets into the voluntary market. We suggest the resolution go into effect June 1, 2022 to provide Palisades with an option to obtain playing field-leveling funding that bridges the time between when Palisades qualifies for CNC funding and when Palisades would receive that funding, about a year later.
The resolution should encourage Michigan businesses, such as the automobile companies, Dow Chemical, Consumers Energy, our major universities and others to voluntarily purchase Palisades’ carbon offsets. Demand for carbon offsets far exceeds supply in the U. S. voluntary carbon offset market. We are confident Michigan’s businesses and institutions will jump at the chance to inform their customers and the public that they are reducing or eliminating their carbon footprint by participating in this voluntary market. The State of Michigan could also become a purchaser of carbon offsets for its own carbon footprint, serving to protect both clean energy and clean energy jobs at Palisades.
Keep Palisades Profitable
Carbon credits range in price per ton of offset emissions based largely upon the certainty of CO2 emissions being prevented or sequestered. Based on Palisades’ current power generation and assuming there are voluntary buyers, Palisades’ owner/operator could potentially earn an additional $500 million per year through the voluntary market – enough to keep the plant profitable.
Some of us believe all energy subsidies negatively distort the market to various degrees. Our request is made acknowledging this belief because energy subsidies are a current reality. This proposal is simply to enable the free market to trade nuclear carbon offsets voluntarily, based upon the DOE’s certification of Palisades’ additionality. Nuclear energy’s ability to participate in normal carbon offset markets could have a meaningful impact on its ability to remain competitive.
Create a Lasting Benefit for All Michiganders
This resolution could emphasize that Palisades would be profitable if it were allowed to compete fairly, and hundreds of good paying jobs in the 26th district would be saved, avoiding the negative economic impact of losing Palisades forever. All Michiganders would benefit by having stable 24/7 baseline power available at a reasonable price regardless of weather. In addition, Michigan might then become recognized as a potentially attractive demonstration destination for Generation IV Nuclear Reactor development, which many states are now vying to get, with the prospect of bringing new technology and jobs to their regions.
We can’t think of anyone more appropriately positioned to propose this resolution than you. It would be a non-partisan, highly effective solution that involves zero costs to the state to advance the interest of all Michigan residents and all U.S. citizens.
We thank you for your consideration and implore you to act quickly.
________________
Endnotes
[1] Governor’s Office: Letter from Governor Whitmer to Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm, April 20, 2022 (https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/MIEOG/2022/04/20/file_attachments/2136675/Palisades%20Letter.pdf)
[2] DOE Seeks Applications, Bids for $6 Billion Civil Nuclear Credit Program, posted April 19, 2022 (https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe-seeks-applications-bids-6-billion-civil-nuclear-credit-program)
[3] L.A. Times, California promised to close its last nuclear plant. Now Newsom is reconsidering, by Sammy Roth, posted April 29, 2022 (https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe-seeks-applications-bids-6-billion-civil-nuclear-credit-program)
MM
The above letter is signed by:
Shawn Connors
Climate Coalition, Michigan
Jennifer Cronin
Climate Coalition
Michael Schneider
Climate Coalition, Michigan
Dr. Todd Allen (pending)
Glenn F. and Gladys H. Knoll Department Chair of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan, Director of the Michigan Memorial Phoenix Project, Director of the Fastest Path to Zero Initiative, author of “Opinion: Why closing Palisades nuclear plant is like sinking the lifeboats,” published October 14, 2021 in Bridge Michigan
Dr. Frederick Buckman (pending)
Adjunct Professor University of Michigan, Former CEO Consumers Power, Former Chief Nuclear Officer Consumers Power
Dr. John C. Lee (pending)
Professor Emeritus, University of Michigan, currently serving on the National Academy of Sciences Panel on Used Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Issues
Dr. William R Martin (pending)
Professor Emeritus of Nuclear Engineering, Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan, University of Michigan, Associate Editor, Nuclear Science and Engineering
Dr. Dietmar Detering
Climate Coalition, Protect Nuclear NOW
Lynne Goodman
Climate Coalition, Michigan
Gary Kahanak
Climate Coalition, Protect Nuclear NOW
Valerie Gardner
Climate Coalition
Eric Meyer
Generation Atomic
Eric Tiller
Susan DeHollander
Dr. Anthony Sartor
University of Michigan, Engineering Graduate
Ryan Pickering
Brad McDowell
Laura Woltersom
Diane Thompson Anderson
Kathryn L. Johnston
Byron Jolly
Christine Trautwein
Steve Schweer
Tom Martin
Darby Fetzer
Gy Ludvig-McCartney
Kathy Hays
Jared Woltersom
Annette Brausch
Jeffrey S. Lilge
Debra Woltersom
Kelly Kinney
Judith Halseth, Ed. D.
William Doot
Randy Halseth
Megan Haan
Todd Mellinger
Mary B Reck
Sue Mellinger
Blake Crocker
Jack Sartor
Connie Pease
Barb Fish
Wendy Haan
[NOTE: To add your name in support of this letter to Senator Aric Nesbitt,
please use the comment box below to add your affiliations and comment.]
Barry County resident in favor of reconsidering the closing of Palisades.
As a resident of South Haven, MI, I believe in keeping Palisades Plant open. I see us as needing this supply of energy even more in the future. It’s also cleaner.
Antwerp township/Van Buren voter – thank you for your consideration
The Palisades plant is a valuable asset to the state of Michigan, as it offers a safe, reliable alternative to fossil fuels.
I have lived in Kalamazoo for over 60 years. Throughout that time, South Haven has played a very important role in my life. My parents resided in South Haven for more than 30 years and, of course, it has been an important source of recreation as access to Lake Michigan. That said, I am very appreciative the important role Palisades has played in providing energy and jobs to our community. I totally agree with our Governor that keeping Palisades open is a top priority and doing so will allow us to make Michigan more competitive for economic development projects bringing billions in investment, protect hundreds of good paying jobs for Michigan workers, as well as shoring up Michigan’s clean energy supply in order to provide reliable lower energy costs for working families and small businesses. I am very much in favor of Palisades continuing to operate and in order for this to happen, it needs access to some of the $6 billion from the Civil Nuclear Credit Program and perhaps nuclear carbon offset credits, resulting in another potential $500 million per year. Palisades has always been technologically stable. This looks like an opportunity to make it financially stable as well. I am in favor of giving Palisades this opportunity.
Committed Michigan voter requests that Senator Nesbitt considers keeping Palisades open. Nuclear energy is clean and safe.
Mary Reck May 14,2022
I have been a South Haven resident for more than 30 years and very disappointed that the Pallisades Nuclear Plant is being shut down before its time. Everybody who is concerned about clean energy must be scratching their heads regarding this closure. Please, please do what ever you can to keep this plant up an running. Thank you
Michigan residents who vote’ and, who are pro-nuclear energy, request that Senator Nesbitt please consider this matter.
Keep Palisades open. Nuclear energy is a safe, clean alternative source of energy.
Nuclear Energy is imperative to our future!
Thank you for your consideration Senator Nesbitt.
I’m a Vicksburg, MI resident. Nuclear energy is reliable/low-cost energy and when spent rods are properly disposed of it produces, in my opinion, some of the cleanest electricity available, please keep Palisades open!
We need clean safe power let’s keep it going!
As a Paw Paw resident, I urge you to keep Palisades open. We need nuclear power and energy to move forward with ample, safe, clean energy. Thank you, Senator Nesbitt, for helping Michigan support nuclear energy.
Kelly Kinney
Former resident of the great state of Michigan.
Nuclear Energy is imperative to our future! Thank you for your consideration Senator Nesbitt.
I am a west Michigan resident and registered voter. Palisades nuclear plant needs to remain open for reliable nuclear energy. There is no need to divert funding to unreliable energy sources like solar and wind.
I am a voting Allegan, Michigan resident. I am in favor of keeping Palisades online as well as future investments in nuclear energy.
As a southwest Michigan resident, I ask you to consider keeping Palisades alive to help cleanly provide energy. Thank you in advance Senator Nesbitt for your consideration of this vital matter.
Southwest Michigan voter here.Keep Palisades going, clean energy is good energy.
Palisades provides a valuable contribution to reducing carbon emissions. I support the recommendations of the climate coalition. I hope you will too.
Please, sign.
Hi Aric,
Darby Fetzer here. I hope you and your family are well. Wanted you to know that Bruce and I are in complete support of Nuclear Energy!
Nuclear is the New Clear solution to reduce Co2 emissions. With so much pulling on the grid . . . and soon to be more with electric cars and trucks produced en masse, we need clean, reliable, robust, safe energy – nuclear energy is the only energy source that fits that bill. Please save Palisades and support the building of nuclear power plants to replace coal and fossil fuel burning power plants- our air, our children and our planet’s health will thank you for attending to this critically time-sensitive issue!
With Sincerity and Appreciation
Keep it simple…this is a no brainer. Palisades Power Plant is economical, safe and efficient. Makes no sense to eliminate this as a part of the electrical production mix. Please do what you can to keep this plant open.
With ever increasing demands on the grid, especially with coming electric vehicles, we need every potential energy source.
As a 50 year resident of Michigan, I would say that now more than ever, Michigan needs power sources that are reliable 24/7.
Palisades efficiently and safely generates 800+ MW of clean energy. It seems like it would be instrumental in helping Michigan achieve its climate goals and U.S. energy independence.
I believe keeping this plant open would be beneficial to Michigan. Thank you so much.
Diane Thompson Anderson
Closing Palisades is a step backward. I am a Michigan resident in favor of keeping an efficient source of energy open.
Kalamazoo, Michigan resident and active voter
Thank you for your consideration Senator Nesbitt.
Please keep the plant open.vThe fishing is much better around the plant during our cold springs and the warm water is great for swimming all summer long.
You can use my name. Lynne Goodman
By bringing carbon credits into the equation, we can properly value the 24/7 clean energy that Palisades provides.
This is a sensible way to assist the nuclear energy industry and making a step toward helping the environment in Michigan by limiting reliance on fossil fuels! By shutting down this facility, you will require fossil fuel Energy to replace it. Reliance solely on solar and wind energy is unreliable!
Please keep this plant open! I am a Michigan resident and I vote. I believe keeping this plant open will benefit our state.
As a Kalamazoo and southwest Michigan resident, I ask you to consider keeping Palisades alive to help cleanly provide energy for today and our children’s future. Thank-you kindly in advance Senator Nesbitt for your consideration of this vital matter.
Eric Meyer
Generation Atomic