Monday, June 29, 2009

Nuclear: Low carbon energy

Funny, I don't believe there is any mention of nuclear power in the recently passed cap-and-trade energy tax bill.

It is a low carbon fuel, and most of the electricity in the Chicago area--where I live, where Rep. Mark Kirk lives, where President Obama lives, comes from nuclear power.

The Christian Science Monitor takes a look at nuclear, which should be key component of our energy policy:

France generates nearly 80 percent of its electricity from nuclear power. It's also one of the world's largest providers of nuclear technology and expertise. Since 2008, French President Nicolas Sarkozy has signed multibillion-dollar nuclear deals with the UAE, Qatar, Algeria, Libya, and Morocco.

At the same time, France is promoting nuclear as a form of renewable power because it emits low levels of carbon dioxide. When the European Union defined its long-term target for renewable energy production last year, it tried to include nuclear power in the definition of renewable energy, a move that was rejected by EU members.

France is also advocating to power the Mediterranean region using "low-carbon technology." IRENA supporters worry that under French leadership, the agency will support both renewables and nuclear options together.

If it's good enough for France, if it's good enough for Chicago, then it's good enough for the rest of America.

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