Posted on 03/16/2011 2:45:56 AM PDT by Scanian
WASHINGTON—Japan's nuclear disaster is putting new pressure on President Barack Obama's energy strategy, which has relied on calls to expand nuclear power to win support for a broader effort to promote alternatives to coal and oil.
On Tuesday, the White House resisted calls from Democratic congressional leaders for a special review of U.S. nuclear-plant safety in the wake of the Japanese nuclear crisis—a move similar to one ordered by German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) and House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D., Md.) on Tuesday called for reviews of U.S. nuclear-plant safety. Rep. Ed Markey (D., Mass.), a key Obama ally on environmental issues, demanded information on seismic safety features, including power plants' abilities to sustain cooling functions during a total power blackout, the situation that has crippled reactors in Japan.
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold a hearing Wednesday to discuss the Japanese nuclear crisis with Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman Gregory Jaczko.
White House officials held their ground on Mr. Obama's pro-nuclear energy strategy. Mr. Obama requested the NRC do a "lessons learned" study of the Japanese disaster and to incorporate the findings into the agency's safety reviews.
But, White House press secretary Jay Carney said, "He doesn't have to order a review because they're constantly going on."
Energy Secretary Steven Chu, testifying before a congressional panel Tuesday, said "the United States has rigorous safety regulations in place to ensure that our nuclear power is generated safely and responsibly" and played down fears that dangerous levels of radiation from Japan could reach U.S. shores. Such concerns have led to runs on stocks of potassium iodide pills, which are used to ward off radiation poisoning.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
How do we get rid of this stupid president?? My God...He’s got us begging. Sign of a true dictator.
Don’t worry-—the Chicago machine has sent Bill Daley to the WH to keep an eye on Boy Barack and make sure he keeps his trap shut AMAP and keeps his political powder dry for 2012.
The Chicago boys will take care of everything, in their own inimitably thuggish ways.
Coal? Yes, coal!
Thanks Scanian.
Obama’s energy policy is that energy should cost a lot more.
Not stupid, just in the pocket of Jeffrey Immelt from GE.
Events have really put him on the hotseat though.
zer0: running in circles, flapping his limp wrists up and down, shrieking, “Stop pressuring me! Can’t I just eat my shaved ice?!”
ping!
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