A Nuclear Blueprint to Cheap, Clean Energy

And now the blueprint:

Nuclear power is the obvious first step to a policy of clean and low-cost energy. One hundred new plants in 20 years would double U.S. nuclear production, making it about forty percent of all electricity production. Add 10% for sun and wind and other renewables, another 10% for hydroelectric, maybe 5% for natural gas—and we begin to have a cheap as well as clean energy policy.”

The second step is to transition into an electric vehicle nation, where half of the cars are electric. According to Brookings Institution scholars, this could be done without building more power plants because of the vast amounts of energy that goes unused at nights. That power, which is already produced, would be used as vehicles charged overnight.

The third step? “Explore offshore for natural gas (it’s low carbon) and oil (using less, but using our own).”

And finally, put more money toward research – doubling funding. We need to work to create answers to meet energy challenges, which include: improving batteries for plug-in vehicles, making solar power cost competitive with fossil fuels, making carbon capture a reality for coal-burning plants, safely recycling used nuclear fuel, making advanced biofuels (crops we don’t eat) cost-competitive with gasoline, making more buildings green buildings and providing energy from fusion.

Here lies his blueprint. He exposed it to proponents and opponents alike. And he closed by stating that “our policy of cheap and clean energy based upon nuclear power, electric cars, off-shore exploration and doubling energy R&D will help family budgets and create jobs. It will also prove to be the fastest way to increase American energy independence, clean the air and reduce global warming.”

He welcomes comments at www.alexander.senate.gov.

For a full text of his speech, click here.

Photo Credit: www.alexander.senate.gov

2 thoughts on “A Nuclear Blueprint to Cheap, Clean Energy”

  1. We need a mix of generation and some nuclear for baseload. But nothing
    approaching 100 plants.

    France imports UK electricity as plants shut (during demand peak)
    http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/utilities/article6626811.ece

    Landmark nuclear reactor will be three years late, more costly.
    http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/utilities/article6018874.ece

    Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
    http://ksjtracker.mit.edu/?p=5356

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top