Renewable Energy Installations in WI

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Clash begins on lifting nuclear construction ban

From a news release issued by The Carbon Free Nuclear Free coalition, which includes Physicians for Social Responsibility, Clean Wisconsin, Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice, League of Women Voters Education Fund, Nukewatch, Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters, Peace Action Wisconsin, Citizens for Safe Water Around Badger, Citizens Utility Board, Coulee Region Progressives, Wisconsin Environment, and the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG):

Repeal of Wisconsin’s restrictions on new nuclear power reactors is “a gift to the dying nuclear industry that Wisconsin residents can’t afford,” a Carbon Free Nuclear Free coalition of 13 environmental, public interest and consumer groups said Tuesday.

At a holiday-themed State Capitol news conference, members of the coalition asked state lawmakers to “be nice, not naughty” by defeating the repeal, Assembly Bill 516, and supporting a state energy policy that would replace coal and nuclear power with renewable energy sources by 2050.

The coalition says that cost, safety, radioactive waste and environmental issues make nuclear power too expensive and too dangerous when renewable energy alternatives are now technically feasible and available.

“Clean renewables and energy efficiency are the gifts that really keep on giving -- clean air, clean water, affordable electricity and reduced carbon emissions,” said Jennifer Nordstrom, national coordinator of the Carbon Free Nuclear Free campaign.

“Wisconsin's nuclear plant law is one of the most sensible laws on the books,” Charlie Higley executive director of the Citizens Utility Board, said. The law requires that, before any new nuclear power plant is built in Wisconsin, a federally-licensed nuclear waste disposal site be operating, and that the cost of building, operating, and decommissioning the nuclear plant and disposing of the nuclear waste is economically advantageous to ratepayers. “Cost is a major concern,” Higley said, “and removing this protection would be a mistake.”

From a news release issued by State Rep. Mike Huebsch:

Madison…State Representative Mike Huebsch (R-West Salem) blasted Wisconsin environmental advocacy groups today for walking away from an agreement reached by the Governor’s Global Warming Task Force to repeal the ban on new nuclear power plants.

In a Capitol press conference on Tuesday, the Citizens Utility Board, Clean Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Sierra Club announced their opposition to repealing the ban and modifying the law.

Rep. Huebsch noted that representatives of all three groups voted for the task force
recommendations, including the ban’s repeal, just last year and called their new position “the beginning of the unraveling” of the agreement.

Rep. Huebsch said that the groups’ decision to oppose an integral piece of the global warming legislation being readied for introduction by Governor Doyle and Democrat lawmakers jeopardizes their ability to enact the environmental policy for Wisconsin.

“The legislation isn’t even introduced yet and already members of the task force are reneging on their commitment,” Rep. Huebsch said. “They cannot remove fundamental portions of an agreement and then expect what’s left to be taken seriously.”

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