A second look at nuclear power

Right Democrat ^ | 01/05/2006 | Right Democrat

[RightDemocrat]

Proposals to build nuclear power plants have often often met opposition from environmental and progressive organizations, however, a growing number of green-minded activists are reconsidering their past objections to nukes.

The Lakeland (FL) Ledger reported on 12/22/06:

"In an article he wrote for Technology Review last year, Stewart Brand, a founder of the Whole Earth Catalogue, argued: "Everything must be done to increase energy efficiency and decarbonize energy production," including development of renewable energy sources like solar, wind and bio mass."

"But add them all up," Brand continued, "and it's just a fraction of enough. … The only technology ready to fill the gap and stop the carbon dioxide loading is nuclear power." http://tinyurl.com/wtky2

In another sign of a shift in attitudes toward nukes, the Progressive Policy Institute endorsed increased use of nuclear plants in "A Progressive Energy Platform" released last October. http://tinyurl.com/y2lqyy

According to the report entitled, "A Progressive Energy Platform,” which was released in mid-October, “Nuclear power holds a great potential to be an integral part of the diversified energy portfolio for America. It produces no greenhouse gas emissions, so it can help clean up the air and combat climate change. And, new plant designs promise to produce power more safely and economically than first-generation facilities.”

Even the founder of Greenpeace Patrick Moore is now making the case for going nuclear http://tinyurl.com/qa6rn If our nation is to gain energy independence, we must expand use of nuclear power and biofuels.

[RightDemocrat]

Support is growing across the political spectrum for nuclear as a energy source.

[ClaireSolt]

Decarbonize, huh. Isn't it the carbon in plants that makes them potential fuel sources? And don't most think that oil and coal are just plants under geologic pressure? What a great idea it has turned out to be to give a microphone and pen to the ignorant and stupid.

[CountryBumpkin]

Duh! And it only took them 30+ years to figure this out. It's a bit comforting to know that people stuck on stupid don't necessarily stay that way forever. If you object to burning fossil fuels, then the inefficiencies of solar panels, water turbines, windmills, converted biomass, and rodents on wheels only take you so far...