Nuclear Energy Institute

The New York Times on the Candidates' Nuclear Views

2008-10-10T16:03:00Z

Here's the opening paragraph of Larry Rohter's story : Contrary to what Democrats may think, there is more to John McCain’s energy program than “drill, baby, drill.” And contrary to what Mr. McCain has been saying on the campaign trail, where he proposes the construction of 45 nuclear plants by 2030, Barack Obama does not “oppose the use of nuclear power.” Read More......(read more)

When It Absolutely, Positively Must

2008-10-10T14:05:00Z

In nature, every niche has its creatures and every creature has its niche. From Psalm 104 to Darwin, humans have noted the precise fit between resource and need across all existence. Much of the debate about energy arises from differing views on the needs that are to be served and the fit between those needs and the resources available. Sometimes the needs of a particularly demanding niche help us Read More......(read more)

The Second Debate: McCain, Obama and Nuclear Energy

2008-10-08T21:21:00Z

First, McCain: You're going to be examining our proposals tonight and in the future, and energy independence is a way to do that, is one of them. And drilling offshore and nuclear power are two vital elements of that. And I've been supporting those and I know how to fix this economy, and eliminate our dependence on foreign oil, and stop sending $700 billion a year overseas. and: We can work Read More......(read more)

Sri Lanka Takes a Look at Thorium

2008-10-06T20:15:00Z

And why not? They have a lot of it : Vitharana had told the newspaper that Sri Lanka had Thorium deposits in the Western coast of the island from Beruwala to Negombo, which is an areas stretching South and North of the capital, Colombo. What they don't have is the technology to use it, but luckily their neighbors to the north, also with piles of the stuff, is trying to make it plausible: "The Read More......(read more)

South Texas Project Nuclear Plant Sets Record on Continuous Operations

2008-10-06T18:45:00Z

From STP : The South Texas Project established a U.S. nuclear power industry record Sunday, completing four consecutive breaker-to-breaker production runs by repeatedly operating both its units continuously between refuelings. The plant shut down its Unit 2 reactor Sunday for routine refueling and maintenance. No other nuclear power plant has accomplished this in the five decades since the first commercial Read More......(read more)

Thoughts on the DOE Loan Guarantee Program

2008-10-06T18:20:00Z

The Department of Energy is moving forward with its clean energy Loan Guarantee program. In a press release last week, DOE announced that it had received applications from 17 companies to build 14 nuclear power plants totaling 21 new units and almost 29,000 megawatts of new electrical capacity. In total, the applications seek $122 billion in loan guarantees, while the program is authorized to commit Read More......(read more)

Paul Newman on Nuclear Energy

2008-10-03T17:59:00Z

The National Review has a terrific piece on our old friend Paul Newman and his support for nuclear energy. Here's a taster : “In all the meetings I had with Paul Newman, he struck me as very open-minded and inquisitive,” says [Denis Beller, a professor of engineering at the University of Nevada]. “He came out to Nevada in 2002 and visited the Harry Reid Center for Environmental Read More......(read more)

India Notes NEI on the US-India Agreement

2008-10-03T14:57:00Z

NEI has been supportive of the US-India nuclear trade agreement and worked to help it along its winding trail through the international and national thickets where it could. The Indians have noticed this, as this story from NDTV demonstrates: Nuclear Energy Institute, the policy arm of US nuclear energy industry, has welcomed the Congressional ratification of the historic US India Civilian Nuclear Read More......(read more)

Congress Introduces Legislation to Tap Thorium as a New Source of Power for the Country

2008-10-03T13:20:00Z

Kirk Sorensen has the story : The following legislation has been introduced in the US Senate today by Senator Orrin Hatch and Senator Harry Reid: A BILL To amend the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to provide for thorium fuel cycle nuclear power generation. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may Read More......(read more)

The VP Debate

2008-10-03T10:55:00Z

If you watched last night's VP candidate debate hoping to hear a discussion about nuclear energy in the U.S., you were a little disappointed. Indeed, the only mention of the issue came during this exchange between Sen. Joe Biden and Gov. Sarah Palin over climate change. Biden : Well, I think it is manmade. I think it's clearly manmade. And, look, this probably explains the biggest fundamental Read More......(read more)

You Have Nothing to Lose But Your Megawatts

2008-10-02T20:36:00Z

We always found at least one aspect of Soviet culture amusing and that was its tendency to use the most muscular language imaginable to make its points. "Cast off your chains," "Proletarians of all nations, unite," and our favorite, "Let live forever in the people's memory the unparalleled achievement of the Leninist guard of October." Piquant, yet slightly salty Read More......(read more)

Google's "Clean Energy 2030" Plan

2008-10-02T19:15:00Z

Google.org (not the Google.com everyone is familiar with) just released a plan "to wean the U.S. off of coal and oil for electricity generation by 2030." I have to say I'm a bit disappointed with their plan because even though nuclear power is somewhat a part of it, Google doesn't give nuclear power much consideration. What's their plan? In order to achieve much of their goal Read More......(read more)

Friends of the Earth Bailout Ad: A Response

2008-10-02T14:38:00Z

Friends of the Earth , a grassroots environmental activist organization, has initiated a new national ad campaign focused on nuclear energy. Against the backdrop of the nation’s banking crisis, the campaign alleges that the Energy Department’s federal loan guarantee program will necessitate a “preemptive government bailout” for the nuclear energy industry. The campaign kicked off with a YouTube ad Read More......(read more)

McCain on the U.S.-India Nuclear Agreement

2008-10-02T14:32:00Z

The McCain campaign press office has just released this statement, "Yesterday, the U.S. Congress passed legislation clearing the way for the U.S.-India Civil-Nuclear Agreement to come into force. Governor Palin and I congratulate the Congress on moving this important legislation forward. India has been a responsible democracy and this agreement allows it to become further integrated into the global Read More......(read more)

U.S. - India Agreement Passes in Senate

2008-10-02T13:36:00Z

Last night, the Senate voted 86-13 to approve the U.S.-India Nuclear Agreement ( H.R.7081 ). The deal, agreed to in principle in July 2005, passed in the House last week , 298 - 117. Here's a breakout of the Senate vote. Alabama : Sessions (R-AL), Yea Shelby (R-AL), Yea Alaska : Murkowski (R-AK), Yea Stevens (R-AK), Yea Arizona : Kyl (R-AZ), Yea McCain (R-AZ), Yea Arkansas : Lincoln (D-AR), Yea Read More......(read more)