The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "power plants" ...
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Aging Nukes
The series examines the condition of aging nuclear power plants in the United States. It's opening installment proclaims: Federal regulators have been working closely with the nuclear power industry to keep the nation's aging reactors operating within safety standards by repeatedly weakening those standards, or simply failing to enforce them.
Tags: Nuclear Power; United States; Power Industry; Reactors;
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Radioactive Waste Leaking into Ground Water
The Asbury Park Press found that millions of gallons of radioactive water have leaked from nuclear power plants in the U.S. since the 1970s, threatening water supplies in New Jersey and other states. But the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has never fined a violator. The Press also found that major leaks have increased in recent years, nearly all nuclear power plants have leaked radioactive titrium, most plants hvae had more than one titrium leak, and esseentially all plants have leaked or spilled radioactive material.
Tags: radioactive waste; power plant; U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
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Saving Millions to Cost Billions
The executives who run the local power plant in St. Petersburg said from the start that their customers should help pay a $2.5 billion repair bill at their nuclear plant because no one could have predicted or prevented the disaster that crippled the facility and shut it down. But the Tampa Bay Times revealed gaping holes in that argument. Porgress received multiple warnings from employees and contractors about their approach to the project. An internal report obtained by Tampa Bay Times even warned the utility against self managing such an ambitious construction effort.
Tags: St. Petersburg; Tampa Bay Times; Repair Bill; Utility
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"Barnegat Bay Under Stress"
This series of stories investigates the gradual demise of Barnegat Bay, the "largest coastal estuary" in New Jersey. Reporters found that thousands of pounds of fertilizer and other "land-borne pollution" is flowing into the bay. The investigative series resulted in Gov. Chris Christie shutting down a nearby nuclear power plant and earmarking millions of dollars for "special environmental control funding."
Tags: Gov. Chris Christie; pollution; wildlife; stormwater; Oyster Creek; nuclear power plant; estuary; fertilizer; jellyfish; Ocean Gate; Toms River; EPA
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Utility Ethics Flap
When the top lawyer for Indiana's utility regulatory commission suddenly quit his job to work for the state's largest utility (Duke Energy Corp.), reporters smelled a rat and demanded state records to see if the two organizations had been engaged in improper conversations. The lawyer in question, Scott Storms, had been the chief administrative law judge for the state, ruling on numerous cases involving the utility, notably its new $2.9 billion power plant. What they found was eye-opening. Mr. Storms had been in talks with the utility for many months about a job, even as he was ruling on cases involving the company, and approving huge cost over-runs for a new power plant. The matter was of deep public interest, because the state agency rules on utility rates paid by all state residents and businesses, and it's dealings were compromised by possible undue influence.
Tags: State Finances; Scott Storms; Ethics; Utility; State Records; Duke Energy Corporation
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Raid in Svaneti
"A phone call at 3 a.m. to a celebrity woman becomes grounds for a high-ranking policeman (who has a personal relationship with the woman) to use his power and staff to fabricate a criminal case and arrest innocent men who, he suspects, could be the caller." The policeman fabricated a gang and planted evidence to create a case against the three men. This report was banned by all Georgian TV companies because it exposed a high-ranking policeman in fabricating a criminal case against innocents.
Tags: Georgia; EurAsia; fraud; fabrication; criminal gang; evidence; drugs; arms; weapons;
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CPS Must DIe
City-owned utility CPS Energy plans to double the size of its South Texas Nuclear Project bye adding two nuclear reactors without knowing how much the new plants will cost. A reports by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy shows that the state's future energy needs don't include the need for new power plants to be constructed.
Tags: natural gas; resource; electricity; solar; coal; Mike Kotera
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Sleeping Nuclear Guards
CBS investigates a videotape of guards sleeping while supposedly watching a nuclear power plant. The broadcast includes interviews with two whistleblowers.
Tags: nuclear power safety; guards; Nuclear Regulatory Commission; whistleblowers; security;
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The Great Empire Zone Giveaway
The Empire Zone program in New York is meant to "reward new and expanding businesses" but has been mistakenly doling out large sums to companies that do not merit them. For instance: an out-of-state power company was using century-old plants, and did not expand, but received $22 million a year. "Hundreds of companies changed their names to appear on paper to be new businesses, so they could collect the maximum tax breaks available to startup companies." Also, a shopping-mall developer promised expansion, but has been receiving $9 million a year with no new building. Of the top 10 companies receiving Empire Zone money (a total of $56 million a year for the group), some added workers, but others cut jobs.
Tags: Empire Zone; fraud; business; business expansion; job contraction
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Bull! A history of the boom and bust, 1982-2004
This book examines the Great Bull Market of 1982-1999 and the fallout that followed. Overpriced stocks sucked capital out of the U.S. economy. Billions of dollars that could have been invested in needed projects such as power plants and oil refineries were squandered on massive overinvestment in the technology sector. Individual investors caught up in the mania sacrificed their retirement nest egg or children's college fund for the hyped promises of the stock market -- gambling with money that they could ill afford to lose.
Tags: stock market; bull market; Great Bull Market; investing; stocks; 401 (k); investments