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Nuclear power a stumbling block to US Senators

Senators and climate McCain-Udall visit showed hope, problems
The Durango Herald  August 27, 2009

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., differs from many in his party in acknowledging the science underlying global climate change…………

Likewise, Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo., deserves credit for rethinking his opposition to nuclear power, a stance that probably has little support among his fellow Democrats.

The problem is, the caveats both attach to their positions render them all but meaningless. And that says more about the reality of dealing with climate change than melting glaciers or dying trees……………….

Both, however, followed those courageous-sounding stances with deal-braking qualifications. While McCain urged Obama to act, he also said he would support no measure “unless nuclear power is an essential and vital part of it.”

And while Udall said nuclear power needs to be part of the solution, a spokesperson later modified those remarks to say he supports research into how to handle nuclear waste. Until a safe disposal method is found, the spokesperson said, Udall does not want to expand the use of nuclear power.

Those positions are mutually exclusive. As both men must know, the problem with nuclear power is no one knows what to do with nuclear waste – and no one wants it in their backyard………………….
No nuclear power plant has been ordered in this country since 1977. And, climate change notwithstanding, there is no reason to believe any will be soon.

So until some magic breakthrough occurs and nuclear waste can be rendered harmless, Udall is off the hook on nuclear power, and McCain is free to join his fellow Republicans in opposing climate-change legislation.

Durango Herald News, Senators and climate

August 28, 2009 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, climate change, politics, USA | antinuclear, nuclear