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Name:	waterph -	Reply
Subject:	Golly! Cooling Towers Do Work
Date:	11/5/2010 8:08:52 AM

TVA to spend $160M to reduce $50M annual cost at Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant. Why? To expand the number of cooling towers! Cause for the cost increase of $50M? Elevated river water temperatures in the Tennessee River (90+ degrees)during the hot summer months).Payout out time? Slightly greater than 3 years! Is this a sensible capital project for TVA? Yes!

So, why does APC continue with a "horse and buggy" mentality at the Gorgas Plant by using the cooler waters from the depths of Smith Lake? Do you think that APC could justify capital dollars for cooling towers at Gorgas? Yes! Then why do they not approve? Over the years, Gorgas capacity has increased (more tons of coal and more steam) and is now limited due to cooling capacity because of the lack of cooling towers.

Did Gorgas have to reduce capacity this summer due to higher water temperatures in the Warrior River? If APC is truthful, I suspect that they would say Yes!

Why has APC not addressed this problem at Gorgas? Could it be because of the age of Gorgas? Or, let's continue to "limp" along until a decision for a nuclear plant is made! Or, do not spend capital because this expenditure will impact the financials of APC!

In the meantime, continue to drain Smith lake during the summer months.

Forum members! There is a reason that a rainfall of 6 to 7 inches did not raise the water level of Smith Lake. Maybe the cartoon character (dog with the big ears that talks) could help solve this mystery. And, it ain't aliens or rainfall absorbed into the ground at a 100% rate that is the answer.

Name:	lotowner -	Reply
Subject:	Golly! Cooling Towers Do Work
Date:	11/6/2010 6:36:03 AM

I've heard it said before that the only thing making money sitting down is a hen. It makes sense to me for TVA to spend money on the basis of a good ROI. Nuclear plants are made to run at capacity and generate budgeted financials.Three years payout is definitely a good pay out time for this investment.I Suspect that TVA will approve projects all day long with these numbers.

I'm interested in your statement about Gorgas. I looked this up on the Internet and this a a steam plant owned by Alabama Power. Are you sure that this plant does not have anything resembling a cooling tower? This does not pass design 101 in engineering school. If true, why would a major utility like Alabama Power not consider a capital funding study to eliminate the dependency on Smith Lake as the water for cooling. I'm sure that the rates on this plant are up and down depending on water volumes available and water temperatures. Discharge water back to the river is a criteria for both TVA and Alabama Power. If I were on the BOD of Alabama Power, I would want to see an engineering study on cooling towers. If the economics are good, this project should fly.

While on the Internet, I also looked at other generation points for The Southern Company and Alabama Power.These are huge utilities. I saw hydro, steam fired, and nuclear plants. Cooling towers were part of the design. It also was evident that Alabama Power is sensitive to compliance with actions to be in compliance with the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts and capital is made available..

Name:	Bill -	Reply
Subject:	Golly! Cooling Towers Do Work
Date:	12/6/2010 4:19:35 PM

You don't think they have people who work there that know about finance and return on investment and other things like that do you wph? Imagine that. A huge corporation that knows where to spend money when it helps financially and where not to spend money where it doesn't.

Of course cooling towers work. I don't think they ever said they don't. They just don't see the need for spending the money on them at Gorgas. Its a business. Its all about money. Its not about keeping YOU happy.

I'm pretty sure the real reason they don't do it is to just piss you off. LOL. I don't think they like you. :)

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