nuclear-news

Lack of knowledge by Iowa lawmakers, about energy sources

There are other, cost effective ways to make and use electricity. Regrettably, blind enthusiasm prevents legislators from seeing this is possible and that it may be a better path to create jobs and meet our demand for electricity.

Iowa Legislators are Enthusiastic about Nuclear Power, Blog for Iowa, by Paul Deaton, 26 Feb 2011, “……….Why are Iowa’s legislators so enthusiastic about nuclear power? We have created a functional meritocracy around the generation of electricity, in which the power to influence the legislators goes to those with the most knowledge about it, the electric utilities….

..The problem for citizens is that there are substantial environmental concerns with building and operating a nuclear power generating station. Primary among these concerns is whether the regulations are adequate to protect human life. With the Environmental Impact Statement being prepared by the entity applying for a license, they usually meet the Nuclear Regulatory Commission requirements, but fall short of adequately protecting the environment and the people who live in it. There is no identified path to fixing this conflict of interest…… 

While less gaseous and particulate emissions are produced once a nuclear plant comes on line, unrecognized environmental degradation occurs in the form of mining and processing of uranium, making the concrete for the plant, in water usage and in the release of tritium and its impact on human health. Nuclear power may reduce coal and natural gas emissions caused by burning these fuels, but new problems are created and may currently be unrecognized, requiring future regulation at a higher cost to customers. Nuclear power also makes Iowa dependent on other market factors, states and countries for fuel.
The better question for Iowa legislators to ask as they consider HSB 124/SSB 1144 is whether Iowa can achieve energy independence without nuclear power and relegate the notion of “baseload” electricity to the ash heaps of the 20th century where it belongs. There are other, cost effective ways to make and use electricity. Regrettably, blind enthusiasm prevents legislators from seeing this is possible and that it may be a better path to create jobs and meet our demand for electricity.

Blog for Iowa :: Iowa Legislators are Enthusiastic about Nuclear Power

February 27, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, USA