– Politics USA

NUCLEAR POWER and POLITICS USA –

It’s a scary thought – either Obama or Romney will be President of the USA – and both of them beholden to the nuclear industry.

But Romney is scarier. ROMNEY ”Romney has said he would simplify the current lengthy Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing process to fast track the approval of new reactors with approved design or near-existing facilities, thereby allowing projects to be completed in under two years. “By instating shorter approval times and addressing other nuclear power industry problems, Romney’s plans are expected to lead to a more rapid expansion for this industry than is projected under Obama’s policies,” the IBISWorld report states.”Uranium Investing News 11 Oct 12

Romney’s pick for his running mate, U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, is married to a woman who at one time lobbied on behalf of the nuclear industry. President Obama’s former Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel, lists Exelon Corporation, the largest operator of nuclear plants in the U.S., on his resume. http://www.ontheissuesmagazine.com/2012fall/2012fall_Roberson.php

OBAMA ”The freeze on new reactor approvals hasn’t stopped the Obama administration from pushing forward on nuclear energy research and development. In late September, the US Department of Energy announced $13 million in funding for university-led nuclear innovation projects under the Nuclear Energy University Programs (NEUP). “The awards … build upon the Obama Administration’s broader efforts to promote a sustainable nuclear industry in the U.S. and cultivate the next generation of scientists and engineers,” the DOE press release states. The funding was awarded to research groups at the Georgia Institute of Technology, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the University of Tennessee.” Uranium Investing News 11 Oct 12

President Obama called nuclear power “an important part of the energy mix” and pledged billions of dollars for the proposed “nuclear renaissance.” Eight billion dollars have been approved to date. It’s underwritten by taxpayers because Wall Street refuses to back a risky proposition such as nuclear power without subsidized insurance for investors should something go wrong http://www.ontheissuesmagazine.com/2012fall/2012fall_Roberson.php

Nuclear Weapons Proliferation and Disarmament. The the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), the successor to one that expired in December, if not passed into law before the elections. The new START, which President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed in a landmark ceremony in Prague in April, commits the two former Cold War foes to slashing their nuclear arsenals. AFP: Clinton urges Senate to move quickly on nuclear treaty

Nuclear War Risk Tea Party Caucus members endorse Israeli attack on Iran, Tea Party Caucus members endorse Israeli attack on Iran | The Cable

Nuclear Waste Dumping. Well – this one really is a mess. the Blue Ribbon Commission on Radioactive Waste is unlikely to come up with any satisfactory answer. While blind Freddie could see that it’s crazy to keep on producing the stuff – no doubt the nuclear lobby will prevail in this aspect. The radioactive waste issue should influence the election in Nevada, (previouly the planned waste dump location), and in Central Washington (home of the most polluted Hanford) The Associated Press: Nuke waste dump influences races outside Nevada

Nuclear Loans – Already $billions of loans have been approved for new nuclear reactors. Now there’s a push on to promote (supposedly safer) small modular nuclear reactors. (although it is highly unlikely these could ever prove economical)–see Amory Lovins’ factsheet here).

Nuclear sales push to India. Right now, the Obama administration is pressurising India to change their Nuclear Liability Law. USA nuclear corporations don’t want to have to pay for any accidents caused by the technology that they sell to India. What a world embarassment – the Indians have pointed out the financial copout that would benefit the nuclear industry to the detriment of the people. The Hindu : News / National : Hillary raises nuclear liability issue wit

Renewable energy USA failure to compete internationally in renewable energy sales. Lack of national policy on renewable energy has given the industry advantage to other countries. lack of national support for renewable energy has kept America behind Europe in developing small scale decentralised renewable energy at home.

Solar power: Brighter long-term investment outlook – International Business – News – The Economic Times

Climate Change – The Senate has given up on passing a climate bill before the November elections. there is real danger that the nuclear industry will continue to promote itself as a ‘silver-bullet’ solution to climate change……“The worst thing about new nuclear is that it steals billions of public dollars from other more effective things like energy efficiency,”