This tree hugger is willing to consider nuclear power in the broad mix of energy sources. However, nuclear zealots need to understand that hearing Duhbya call the nuclear industry “over-regulated” is worrisome — how does he think it came to be so safe? It is also strange to hear the anti-environment president speak of the environmental benefits of nuclear power, not to mention to hear the anti-science president speak of global warming as a fact — he should tell Republican Senator James Inhofe (he called Global Warming one of the greatest hoaxes ever — even a greater hoax than he pulls as a senator)!

Finally, even dumping truckloads of money on the industry in tax breaks and public funding doesn’t seem to be getting it moving — you can’t just blame the environmentalists.

So, I’ll move towards nukes, but I won’t trust Bush and Cheney as advocates. mjh

Bush Calls For New Nuclear Plants By Peter Baker and Steven Mufson, Washington Post Staff Writers

President Bush promoted nuclear power Wednesday as part of his answer to energy and environmental problems as more companies consider taking advantage of government incentives to build the nation’s first new nuclear plant in decades.

In the shadow of twin giant cooling towers, Bush said that his plan to expand nuclear power would curb emissions contributing to global warming and would provide an “abundant and plentiful” alternative to limited energy sources. Bush called the nuclear sector an “overregulated industry” and pledged to work to make it more feasible to build reactors.

“Nuclear power helps us protect the environment. And nuclear power is safe,” he said to loud applause from workers at the Limerick Generating Station, about 40 miles from Philadelphia. He added: “For the sake of economic security and national security, the United States must aggressively move forward with construction of nuclear power plants. Other nations are.” …

Exelon President John W. Rowe, who hosted Bush on Wednesday, said at the company’s annual shareholders meeting last year that “Exelon has no intention of building a nuclear plant until there is a solution to the spent-fuel problem. . . . Most companies share our view.” [mjh: I thought Germany or France were cutting back — if so, why?]
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See also mjh’s blog — Going Nuclear
A Green Makes the Case
By Patrick Moore, co-founder of Greenpeace