Nuclear Information and Resource Service

Don't let the nuclear power industry hijack the climate bill!

The Senate Environment Committee has begun hearings and behind-the-scenes work on their version of the climate bill. And nuclear power boosters are attempting to get more taxpayer dollars to build new nuclear reactors across the country--Environment Committee member Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), for example, has proposed that 100 new reactors be built in the next 20 years and giving another $50 billion in taxpayer loan guarantees to the nuclear industry!

But nuclear power remains extraordinarily expensive and ineffective at reducing carbon emissions quickly or substantially. We can have nuclear power, or we can address the climate crisis. We can't do both.

Please write your Senators below, and then ask all of your friends and colleagues to do the same. As always, please feel free to edit your letter to reflect your own concerns and issues.

Thank you!

February 09, 2010

Subject:

Dear Senator,

I am extremely concerned by reports that some in the Senate are seeking to add a nuclear title to the climate bill that would further increase taxpayer subsidies for new nuclear reactors. The Senate energy bill, as approved by the Senate Energy Committee, contains a "Clean Energy Development Administration" with authority to issue unlimited loan guarantees for new nuclear reactors and also increases funding for dirty reprocessing technology.

We need a strong climate bill. But nuclear power is so costly that it would crowd out investment in renewable and energy efficiency technologies that would reduce carbon emissions faster, cleaner and safer. For example, a new report from an economic analyst at the University of Vermont found that electricity from 100 new reactors would cost from $1.9 to $4.1 trillion more than electricity from energy efficiency programs and renewable energy sources.

Nor is nuclear power effective at reducing carbon emissions. To the contrary, the nuclear fuel chain is a source of significant carbon emissions--far more than renewable technologies. And a new study from a leading Swedish university has found that nuclear power's heat emissions make reactors a far more potent greenhouse contributor than previously recognized.

In short, nuclear power is both too expensive and ineffective. We can have nuclear power or we can address the climate crisis. We can't do both.

Please do not let the Senate climate bill be hijacked by the nuclear power industry. Please act to ensure that the bill does not include any more taxpayer subsidies for nuclear power.

Sincerely,

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Don't let the nuclear power industry hijack the climate bill!