Nuclear Energy
Note: This article is also a contribution to the BPN Platform.
One reason that it’s difficult to trust the environmentalist movement is that they don’t embrace nuclear energy as the wonder that it is – clean, safe, reliable, and utterly innovative. The BPN Platform would emphasize nuclear energy as the energy of the future and of the present, looking to loosen restrictions on building new plants to let private markets get to work.
Current Status of Nuclear Power
Although the United States is the largest producer of nuclear power, France is the largest-percentage producer, producing some 80% of its overall energy consumption as of 2006. There are currently over 100 reactors in the United States.
Nuclear Energy is Low-Polluting
According to Wikipedia (citing the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology), the carbon emissions of Nuclear energy are comparable to that of wind power.
Nuclear energy is not without its detrimental effects on the environment. Nuclear power uses recycled water systems like nearby lakes for cooling purposes, essentially heating them up. Many nuclear plants use artificial lakes for this purpose.
The other issue that many seem to bring up against nuclear energy is the amount of radioactive waste produced. Relative to carbon emissions and most pollution, however, the issue of managing nuclear waste is not all that troubling.
Decrease Government Regulation of Nuclear Power
Beyond safety requirements, there is no reason to regulate nuclear energy – excessive government regulations scare investors off and prevent innovation in this area. Nuclear power plants require a lot of upfront investment which can be provided through private capital. With relatively low operating costs, nuclear power plants can be a sound investment.
Other Energy Policy
The BipolarNation.com Platform calls for the elimination of the Department of Energy and for the loosening of energy regulation, leaving much power of energy safety and regulation to the states.
- No to the Cap-and-Trade idea
- No to energy investments including alternative energies
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