Obama Administration Pushes Nuclear Energy

I can't believe how many times the President says "clean coal" ETC! Nuclear energy is not something any of us need ... we can't keep sweeping radioactive dust under the rug. Go turn some lights off, eat less meat, support peaceful policies - don't just talk about it.

Another area in which Obama and I part company. Nuclear power cannot be considered separately from nuclear waste, and I have ZERO confidence in the nuclear power industry's ability and long-term commitment to keep that waste safe. I have worked on a number of energy company mergers and acquisitions where the primary power sources were some combination electricity generated by coal-fired plants and electricity from hydroelectric generators...and EVERY time some of the most difficult issues are dealing with who winds up with the liability for past and future environmental disasters. Their problems are a walk in the park compared to nuclear. We need to move away from coal and hydro (and natural gas for that matter)...but moving toward nuclear is a mistake.

Off topic, is this new format a bit hard to get used to, or is it just me? I don't like how comments on comments are as prominent as the original comment.

I do like that I can go by newest, oldest and popular though. This might really help on a few of the threads here on Current that are so long that I have a hard time reading the whole thing before I make my own comment.

It takes the personal touch away from being able to recommend something with your name. :(

What do you think? Should replies to comments be as prominent as the comments themselves? Sorry to get off topic, just curious, Cove

Safe and nuclear cannot be used in the same sentence. Nuclear also uses much water, which in a time of drought is very illogical. To me it is also hypocritical to tell us you wish to rid the world of nuclear weapons, and then call for more nuclear plants. You think a nuclear plant can't be used as a bomb by a terrorist? They are unsafe, toxic, and an economic boondoggle, and excavating the uranium causes much environmental devastation and cancer, water pollution, etc. But hey, the Dept Of The Interior will I suppose now allow uranium mining in the Grand Canyon so we can make the total destruction of our landmarks and parks complete as well. Perhaps Obama should stop trying to be popular to everyone and for once really stand up for or against something based on principle instead of playing both sides to not piss anyone off. We need an aggressive plan to get solar energy up and running in this country. Nuclear is definitely not the answer.

"next budget year is expected to include billions of more dollars in federal guarantees for new nuclear reactors." I didn't say it the article did.

Uranium mining has does wonders in New Mexico. The people of Grants NM are rolling in dough and health. NOT!!! If nuclear energy is so great how come we need a ton of plants, and why does the government need to help them all the time shouldn't they be strong companys?

the sun is our nuclear reactor and we have it right where we want it: far, far away from us. there are some big reasons why i'm staunchly against nuclear energy, and why i believe it will never be the answer. issues concerning security, its burden on future generations (today's solutions become tomorrow's problems), and design flaws that may be proven to indeed be both uneconomical and unecological anyway. the only reason why nuclear is "clean" is because it doesn't pollute the atmosphere.

back during the presidential campaign, obama did mention nuclear, but he seemed to emphasize wind, solar, and geothermal. whereas mccain sounded like the one who was really looking more towards nuclear. i'm dissapointed by this news.

there was a story the other day that said we'll probably harness fusion energy this year, that seems better than nuclear plants

we have proposals for geothermal, csp solar energy systems and yet we can't build those? Instead the nuclear energy issue is being raised as if we don't know its potential risk, thats like posting an article titled "rapist to run day care" and everyone debating his credentials.

Would it be the "older accidents" most of us are worried about or the future accidents? I'm much more concerned about the future of nuclear power than the past.

@bigioutech: Yes it is a good thing... but there are still a majority of people that are afraid of older accidents. New nuclear plants will have newer technology, and be safer. I believe a combination of nuclear energy and electric cars will push us into energy independence.

Edit: Up'd for Obama doing something worthwhile

isn't nuclear energy a good thing?
it's efficient and doesn't release any greenhouse gases