LIMERICK, Pa. – Calling nuclear power an over-regulated industry that needs a jump-start from Washington, President Bush yesterday pitched his plan to expand nuclear power generation.
The backdrop for the president's effort was the Limerick Generating Station, a nuclear plant about 40 miles from Philadelphia.
Bush argued that nuclear power is abundant, affordable, safe and clean.
“For the sake of economic security and national security, the United States of America must aggressively move forward with the construction of nuclear power plants,” Bush said. “Other countries are.”
However, Bush was dealt a setback yesterday in the House, where lawmakers voted to scale back his plan to resume nuclear fuel reprocessing as part of an international program to boost nuclear power.
The House cut Bush's request for the first installment of the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership in half, to about $130 million.
Some environmentalists have abandoned their opposition to nuclear power, arguing it is needed to address climate change because reactors do not produce “greenhouse” gases as do fossil fuels. Other environmentalists are not convinced, citing worries about reactor waste and safety.
“The debate needs to fully address such vital issues as the exorbitant cost of building new nuclear facilities, the potential proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and the disposal of radioactive wastes,” said Thomas B. Cochran, director of the Natural Resources Defense Council's nuclear program.
Bush touted a range of ways he wants to make America less dependent on hydrocarbons, including promoting ethanol-, hydrogen-and battery-powered cars, clean-coal technology, wind and solar power and liquefied natural gas.
“If we haven't done something about our energy situation, we're not going to be able to compete in the world,” the president said.
There are 100 nuclear power plants scattered across 31 states, but an order has not been placed for a new reactor since 1973.
