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December 07, 2007
The Environment: "All we are saying is give nukes a chance?"
Will climate change concerns turn out to be a renaissance for nuclear power? We think so--nuclear's "new day" is beginning to accelerate piece by piece. So watch for pitched battles on this issue. Two days ago, with much fanfare and by an 11-8 vote, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved a bill which would require U.S. limits on greenhouse gases. See AP's "Senate Panel OKs Global Warming Bill". Measures offered by a Republican senator to expand the use of nuclear power--on the argument that reactors, unlike coal-burning
plants, produce no carbon dioxide--were defeated in the committee. However, nuclear energy as way to combat global warming is expected to emerge again when the full Senate considers the bill. The pro-nuclear lobby which slowly evolves over the next few months should be an interesting coalition of peace, love and heavy industry. See at Wired.com a feature-interview about a journalist and environmental activist who is re-thinking nuclear power: "Former 'No Nukes' Protester: Stop Worrying and Love Nuclear Power". Finally, visit Mark Hertsgaard's San Francisco Chronicle op-ed piece of two years ago: "Nuclear Energy Can't Solve Global Warming".
Posted by JD Hull at December 7, 2007 11:44 PM
Comments
Readers might also find an insider's perspective interesting, since the real world of nuclear power (good and bad) is far different than what is commonly portrayed. See http://RadDecision.blogspot.com for the novel "Rad Decision", which is available at no cost to readers. The author has been an engineer in the US nuclear industry over twenty years and covers the people, politics and technology of this controversial energy source within an exciting story of mayhem. Also in paperback at online retailers.
Posted by: James Aach at December 7, 2007 10:59 AM