Posted on 03/19/2010 8:17:08 AM PDT by kidd
March 17, 2010—The Illinois Senate took steps Tuesday to knock down the state’s Chernobyl-era ban on building new nuclear plants by a 40-1 vote. It was one of a series of recent votes on nuclear energy issues in various statehouses.
The bill (SB3388) amends Illinois’ Public Utilities Act of 1987 to remove language that prohibited utilities from building new nuclear energy plants in the state. The legislation also removes language requiring a “technology or means for the disposal of high-level nuclear waste,” allowing the state to consider new construction while the Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future considers the issues surrounding used nuclear fuel. The Illinois House takes up the bill next.
Bill sponsor Sen. Mike Jacob (D-Ill.), whose district includes the Quad Cities Generating Station, said, “People aren't as wary of [nuclear energy] as they used to be.” He added, “It's proven itself to be a very safe [and] clean technology.” Currently, Illinois generates about 48 percent of its electricity from 12 reactors located at six sites around the state. Exelon operates all Illinois reactors and holds an early site permit for its Clinton Nuclear Generating Station where it may build at least one new reactor.
The vote follows nuclear‐related activities in Iowa and Wyoming last week. In Iowa, the state House and Senate each resoundingly approved legislation that would allow utility MidAmerican Energy to raise some fees to study the possibility of building another nuclear energy plant in the state. A 91-7 affirmative vote in the House and a 37-13 vote in the Senate sent the bill to Gov. Chet Culver’s (D-Ill.) desk.
In Wyoming, Gov. Dave Freudenthal (D) vetoed a bill passed by the state legislature that would create a task force to encourage the development of nuclear energy in the state. Wyoming does not have a nuclear energy plant.
Illinois has a big fraction (48%) of its electical power coming from some older nuclear plants. They will need to be replaced soon. No doubt that this decision is linked to Obama's recent positive attitude about nuclear power.
This is just a step into getting the people to work. Who do they think they are kidding? With so many people out of work in Ill, they will dig for oil if they had too!
You are spot on.
Obama owes favors to his handlers. Expect Illinois plant applications to get favoritism
Good. Although Gov. Chet Culver of Iowa might be surprised he’s a (D-Ill)...
Anything but THAT!
Lots of building spots to be opened in uber-union Chicago if there's nuclear construction.
Energy-production and what's good for the country as a whole has nothing to do with it in the minds of any Leftists. It's just the result of union pressure and what's good for them.
Leni
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.