What's not to like about nuclear power? It's cleaner than coal-fired power. It will help meet our growing energy needs at a time when it's important to increase our energy independence. And it annoys the environmentalists. So this is win, win, win:
President Barack Obama will announce on Tuesday plans for the government to help finance the construction of two nuclear reactors -- the first in nearly 30 years, a top US official said.
Obama, who has advocated reducing foreign energy dependency and cutting back on greenhouse gases, will use a 2005 law that authorizes the Energy Department to guarantee loans to projects that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Of course, if the Obama administration hadn't caved in and stopped funding Yucca Mountain, we'd still have a place to put the nuclear waste, which would have made it even better. Now they're going to spend who knows how much on a blue ribbon commission to come up with a solution we had already found at a cost of about $9 billion to taxpayers.
Comments
Leo:
This is a real "win-lose" situation, any way you look at it.
It's CLEAN energy...barring leaks, meltdowns, or other assorted nuclear-related issues.
Then there's that nasty SPENT-FUEL POOL thing that remains "hot" for a lifetime or two (storage and/or transporation problems).
And if we begin building reactors TOMORROW, it'll be around FIVE years before they are finshed, and another couple years before they go actively ON-LINE (for about 40 years).
Then, we have to "decom" them (close them down), and begin anew elsewhere.
Hey, maybe IRAN would "store" all those spent fuel rods for us...in exchange for OIL...???
Now THERE is a great idea...
I mean THEY wouldn't do anything BAD with that, right?
And it would go a long way to heal international relations...
(about several hundred miles...in a warhead).
Nevermind.
Ha Bob! I like the Iran suggestion!
This is just a bone from Obama to placate a few. With the regulations necessary and the Green nutz entrenched they'll never get one opened up and running and he knows it. These morons won't be happy until we're back to horse and buggies and using magnifying glasses and sunlight to heat water.
Too bad too, Burke County Georgia could use it. My son taught school there and it is one economically depressed area.
Nuclear energy is the way to go. I consider myself an enviromentalist, and it's the way to go. If you look at the big picture, it's the greenest way to supply us with the energy we need. I disagree with Tim Zank that this is a 'bone from Obama, to placate a few'. I think it's entirely consistent with his pragmatism.
Lewis I agree with you that nuclear is the way to go. I just don't think the EPA and the environmental groups will allow it. As for Obama throwing a bone, I'll stand by that, he has a habit (like all politicians of course) of saying one thing one day and saying something completely different the next.