Japanese nuclear disaster demands a re-examination of US nuclear policy
The tragic events unfolding in Japan demand a re-examination of U.S. nuclear policy. While stocks in nuclear plummet and nuclear industry lobbyists scramble on Capitol Hill to shore up support for massive federal subsidies to kick-start the stagnate industry, concerns regarding the existing aging fleet are surfacing and should be heeded. Click here to read more about specific concerns about some of the aging US nuclear fleet.
Amazingly, despite emerging concerns about existing and proposed reactors, the Obama administration has said it will not back off its plans to further prop up the nuclear industry through increased taxpayer-backed loan guarantees and the inclusion of nuclear power technology in the administration’s clean energy standard. The administration has included $36 billion in loan guarantees in its budget proposal for fiscal year 2012. Instead, it should immediately halt subsidies and instead focus on developing solar and wind power. Take Action on Nuclear Subsidies
The administration must take off the blinders, look hard at what is going on in Japan and realize that yes, a catastrophe can happen here.
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- How vulnerable are U.S. nuclear plants? (cnn.com)
- Nuclear energy lobbyists scramble on Capitol Hill (cnn.com)