Bellefonte, Alabama - Stories About Our Nuclear Future - The Bellefonte Saga - May God have Mercy on our Souls

Ghosts of Bellefonte, photo by G. Morgan

$5 Billion of our money spent, sold for $111 million, and who is ecstatic about such a deal?

Franklin Haney-hahaha. If he builds it as a nuclear plant, he will suffer the same fate as TVA who had many more dollars than Haney. But then again , Haney is TVA's landlord. 

WAAY Video

"Sum'n good will come out of it," says current plant manager - Hahaha, what Franklin Haney goes bust and TVA laughs while ratepayers cry?

11-14-16 Sale of Bellefonte – Press Stories

Estimated costs in today’s money for the 55% complete Bellefonte Unit 1, 8-9 Billion dollars; Unit 2, 35% complete, 10-12 billion dollars.

TVA Press Release: HOLLYWOOD, Ala. ― The Tennessee Valley Authority announced today the sale of the 1,400 acre Bellefonte property, near Hollywood, Ala., to Nuclear Development, LLC for the purchase price of $111 million. The sale concludes a six-month competitive auction process designed to promote job creation and investment in northeast Alabama.  http://www.snl.com/Cache/1001216661.PDF?O=PDF&T&Y&D&FID=1001216661&iid=4063363

Clarion, Scottsboro, Al. article: Haney Investments was represented by former Congressman Bud Cramer during the press conference. http://www.theclarion.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10535:bellefonte-auctions-for-111-million-&catid=42:clarion-rotation-stories&Itemid=142

Daily Sentinel, Scottsboro, Al. article: “Today marks the first step of an exciting new journey for the people of Alabama and Tennessee,” said Franklin L. Haney, who established Nuclear Development in 2012. “The Bellefonte Nuclear Station will help transform communities across the region many of which have been hit hard by the forced closure of coal power plants over the last decade. This project will bring new life to the region by creating thousands of jobs while providing assured access to reliable, affordable, zero-emission energy.”

Haney said he also would like to thank the Tennessee Valley Authority Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer Bill Johnson “for their diligent work in executing this fair and open bidding process. I am grateful for the entire Alabama and Tennessee congressional delegations – especially Senators Shelby, Sessions, Alexander and Corker, as well as Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley – for their continued support of nuclear development throughout this process.”

Chattanooga Times Free Press - HOLLYWOOD, Ala. — Chattanooga developer Franklin L. Haney, who has spent the past decade trying to acquire TVA's Bellefonte Nuclear Power plant, emerged today as the winner at an auction of the abandoned nuclear plant.

Haney, who organized an investment group known as Nuclear Development LLC, agreed to pay $111 million to acquire the abandoned twin-reactor complex and the 1,600 acres it occupies along the Tennessee River here.

Haney said he hopes to finish Bellefonte, creating between 3,000 and 4,000 temporary construction jobs, and an estimated 2,000 full-time jobs once both reactors become operational.  http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/business/aroundregion/story/2016/nov/14/haney-wins-bidding-contest-abandoned-nuclear-plant/397652/

Nuclear Development LLC — formed by Tennessee businessman Franklin L. Haney and based in Washington, D.C. http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/tva-selling-unfinished-nuclear-plant-northeast-alabama-43521613 Virginia: https://sccefile.scc.virginia.gov/Business/S336227  Secretary of State in Virginia lists the corporate license as delinquent. https://sccefile.scc.virginia.gov/Find/Business?SearchTerm=nuclear+development+llc&SearchPattern=K&as_fid=DqXOVjh-9mgzXgg1_3c-

Al.com press release: An unfinished nuclear power plant in northeast Alabama this morning was auctioned for $111 million. Nuclear Holdings LLC, a Washington D.C. based company, promises in its bid to bring 2,000 permanent jobs to north Alabama and up to 4,000 temporary construction jobs. The company says it plans a $13 billion investment to bring the plant online as an energy producer. http://www.al.com/news/huntsville/index.ssf/2016/11/an_unfinished_alabama_nuclear.html

Nuclear Holdings, LLC https://www5.sos.state.oh.us:8443/ords/f?p=100:7:0::NO:7:P7_CHARTER_NUM:1676058

Haney Bentley Connection-Political Payola

Just the traceable donations from Haney's businesses to Bentley's last campaigns total about $300,000, much of which moved into Bentley's campaign account after the last election was over. Again, that's only what's easily traceable. That campaign account subsequently paid the salary of Rebekah Caldwell Mason, the governor's senior political advisor with whom he is accused of having an affair.  http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2016/05/after_hefty_campaign_donations.html

Rapid increases in the estimated cost to complete Bellefonte also may have also contributed to the utility taking it out of future plans for new generation capacity.  In 2013 the costs reportedly jumped from about $5 billion to a range of between $7.4 and $8.9 billion.  A private equity effort headed by Franklin Haney, an investor, offered to complete the reactor and operate it for $10 billion.  TVA turned him down saying the plan didn’t have good enough numbers to proceed. http://www.theenergycollective.com/dan-yurman/2216491/tva-backs-away-bellefonte

By 2006, when construction was halted again and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) construction permits were terminated, these completion percentages had been revised to 55 and 35. http://thebulletin.org/delivering-nuclear-promise-tvas-sale-bellefonte-nuclear-power-plant-site9524

The Problem, maybe for Haney

TVA ACT reference Section 10 and Section 15d prohibitions on sale of power outside of TVA area and power producing corporations in TVA’s area:  https://www.tva.com/file_source/TVA/Site%20Content/About%20TVA/TVA_Act.pdf

Historical Stories

1976 Report by the GAO on Bellefonte: http://www.gao.gov/assets/80/78948.pdf

"The Zombie Reactor" - http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/16/business/energy-environment/16nuclear.html

SACE -  Privatizing Bellefonte: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly  http://blog.cleanenergy.org/2013/12/21/privatizing-bellefonte-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/

DELUSION - "TVA Votes to Complete Bellefonte"  http://www.snl.com/Marketing/HTML_Email/Current/12753/GenerationMarkets082311.pdf

BEST-MATRR Videos

SACE - Fairewinds Video

The Bellefonte Nuclear Power Saga 
http://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/Bellefonte%20Nuclear%20Power%20Plant

Jackson County EDA Meeting - The Good, The Bad and The Darn Ugly! UPDATE-June 26, 2012

UPDATE Dynetics issue: Much has been said in local media about the Dynetics issue including a considerable amount of propaganda from local EDA officials, Huntsville Times link: http://blog.al.com/huntsville-times-business/2012/06/dynetics_plans_for_test_facili.html 

The proposed Larkinsville site is to be a "test bed" site. The question is, what is it that Dynetics will be testing and is it dangerous? After examining Dynetics mission and products here is the likely answer: Propulsion and related engines - http://www.dynetics.com/products/space-propulsion  Fuels reference from Dynetics site- "Our capabilities in multiple propellants include liquids, solids, and hybrids, with experience in both green and toxic propellants: liquid and gaseous oxygen, hydrogen, kerosene, propane, methane, ethane, nitrous oxide, hydrogen peroxide, HAN, hydrazine, and HTPB." Hydrazene propulsion, "CLASSIFICATION: B2; probable human carcinogen." CDC info concerning Hydrazene-  http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/hydrazine/

Every month on the 3rd Tuesday at noon the Jackson County Economic Development Authority, EDA, Board of Directors meet; such was the case Tuesday, June 19, 2012. This meeting was Stacey Ledwell's last meeting. Jackson County Commissioner Jack Allen will replace Mr. Ledwell. Information on the Jackson County EDA may be found on line at http://www.jacksoncountyeda.org/

EDA CEO Dus Rogers presents Mr. Stacey Ledwell, outgoing Board Director and Treasurer, a certificate of accomplishment for his tenure as an EDA Board of Director. (photo by G.Morgan)

Education information, the EDA news letter-"Echoes," including events, may be found at this link: http://www.jacksoncountyeda.org/news.html The EDA Workforce Development partnerships with the various schools and organizations in the area are impressive. The partnerships are linked on the EDA site: http://www.jacksoncountyeda.org/education.html

The EDA has a prominent Facebook presence: http://www.facebook.com/jacksoncountyeda

Business Items : First up was discussion related to Dynetics Corporation's plans of locating to Jackson County, Al.  I was informed this discussion was a confidential discussion. Dynetics link: http://www.dynetics.com/about

I was surprised to read this mornings news in Scottsboro's Daily Sentinel disclosing the information. The Daily Sentinel was not present in yesterdays meeting. Quote from Daily Sentinel: "Dr. Marc Bendickson, Dynetics CEO said the company is committed to economic growth in North Alabama and expansion into Jackson County will help facilitate that goal...Company officials confirmed they are considering a site in the Larkinsville area to perform a variety of testing services." Link: http://thedailysentinel.com/news/article_01594c1a-bb28-11e1-b0b1-001a4bcf887a.html

There has been no finalization of any contracts related to this deal. Negotiations are in a critical stage. It is my opinion the release of this information was intentional for the purpose of interfering with negotiations in this critical stage.

Under the Alabama Open Meetings Act such negotiations may be kept from public disclosure due to sensitive contracts related to real estate and business negotiations in which the disclosure could jeopardize the industry locating in the area, thus costing citizens jobs or costing citizens economic development funds and opportunities. Nothing has been finalized concerning this deal.

Apparently this deal will bring very few jobs to Jackson County. There are several environmental concerns for this area, including hydrology and geolgy impacts due to Karst Terrain.
WAFF TV report on this deal: http://www.waff.com/story/18839702/some-residents-unsure-about-dynetics-expanding-into-area?clienttype=printable
VIDEO


In my discussions prior to the EDA meeting, I inquired of the CEO, "does the EDA have an Attorney on the board?" A public boards attorney must certify Executive Sessions (closed sessions) as proper and legal. The EDA does not have an attorney and has not had one for at least 2 years. The reason I was present was due to information I had received concerning accountability relating to actions of responsible persons on the EDA. A lack of an Attorney to advise the EDA Board of Directors and staff  "for years" is an example of failed management.

In other business, Warren Hicks of TVA Economic Development (ED) was present to provide updates on TVA ED.

Mr. Warren Hicks, TVA Economic Development. (photo G. Morgan)

Workforce updates, existing industry updates, CEO's report, and various items of confidential information was discussed. All items of public nature may be found in the news letter or site information.

Spectra Energy may build a pipeline through Jackson County. It was commented Spectra Energy would like to discuss the pipeline situation with the EDA. Spectra Energy link: http://www.spectraenergy.com/  Story links: "Pipeline Possible" http://thedailysentinel.com/news/article_b451e7fa-7ac8-11e1-bab3-001a4bcf887a.html


WE DON'T WANT NO STINK'N NUCLEAR LIQUOR!
Other items of importance disclosed: Brown-Forman Cooperage Mill refused to locate a larger facility in the Jackson County Industrial Park due to the background of the Bellefonte Nuclear Power plant, (paraphrased)"the image was not in conformance to their environmental policies and public image," commented Mr. Rogers concerning Brown-Forman's concern. Article from this blog on Brown-Forman's small facility in north Jackson County: http://arklite.blogspot.com/2011/12/more-jobe-for-jackson-county-brown-and.html

The larger plant deal, phase 2, fell through for the citizens of Jackson County. Brown-Forman Cooperage is building a larger operation near Decatur, Alabama: http://www.areadevelopment.com/newsItems/6-15-2012/brown-forman-cooperage-alabma-expansion-25541612.shtml TVA's Bellefonte Nuclear plant had a negative impact for approximately 200 permanent jobs. The Jackson County Industrial Park is located east of the Bellefonte Nuclear Plant between U.S. Hwy 72 and the nuclear plant. The nuclear plant image would have made for a poor image for Jack Daniel's products.

The Bellefonte Nuclear Plant, not in conformance with the image of Brown-Forman. "We don't want no stink'n nuclear liquor."A similar image is evident from Jackson County's Industrial Park (Ghosts of Bellefonte by G.Morgan http://www.matrr.org/ ) 

Ghosts of Bellefonte, Alabama 1940's and Now

First Picture is circa late 1940's by Mr. Wendell Page, the second July 17, 2008 by Garry Morgan. The chimney is all that remains of the old Martin Tavern & Inn; Bellefonte means "beautiful spring."

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The following is a brief history of Bellefonte from the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce web site. " The first courthouse was built at Bellefonte, just after the year 1828. It served the people of the Jackson County thirty-five years or longer. When an Act was passed in the Legislature to vote on moving the county seat from Bellefonte, approved December 17, 1859, and for nine years the question was before the people. Finally Scottsboro became the county seat and the county records were moved from Bellefonte on Friday, November 13, 1868." http://www.jacksoncountychamber.com/history.html

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There is a debate over how the Bellefonte Court House met its fate toward the end of the Civil War. Some say the "Yankees" burned it to the ground. Others say one or more local property owners burned the Court House to destroy property records in order to increase their own holdings thru fraud, the true story is up for debate. However the Federal Army utilized the building for a Headquarters on more than one occasion. Learned local historians have stated it was burned by one or more local citizens.

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It would seem the ghost of Bellefonte still haunts the area as a vacant nuclear facility sits idle. The same ghost may haunt TVA coffers, their debt of $22 billion and a debt cap of $30 billion, against a $14-18 billion dollar new Bellefonte Nuclear Facility spells another haunting possibility, a financially insolvent TVA. No $12 million annual dollars for Jackson County Government entities. Are we sure we need another nuclear ghost? >>>>

Ghostly markers of our history, kind of like the Pb 212 (radioactive lead) found in our water supply in 1999. Testing for radioactive substances is not an annual event, unfortunately.