Is more nuclear energy in California's energy
future?
Nov 3 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Kevin Yamamura The Sacramento
Bee, Calif.
Who knew nuclear power was the new green alternative?
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is now pushing that notion, suggesting that
nuclear plants could help the state meet its aggressive long-term goals of
reducing carbon emissions.
After previously dismissing nuclear power because of waste storage problems,
the Republican governor this year has said it should be considered a serious
option among alternative fuels.
"I myself think that nuclear power has a great future, and I think that we
should look at it seriously again," Schwarzenegger said at a Santa Barbara
conference in March. "I know there are people who are scared about it, and I
know there are certain environmentalists that put the scare tactics out
there, and they frighten everyone that we're going to have another blowup
and all of those things. But I think technology has advanced so much."
State lawmakers imposed a moratorium on building new nuclear plants in 1976.
While Schwarzenegger believes California should study nuclear power, he does
not propose lifting the ban, said spokeswoman Lisa Page.
The governor's growing interest comes as both presidential candidates say
they are willing to consider a nuclear power expansion. Though Democratic
Sen. Barack Obama has conditioned his support on whether the country can
ensure the long-term safety of nuclear power, Republican Sen. John McCain
has called for 45 new plants in the United States by 2030.
Environmental groups in California remain opposed to an expansion of nuclear
power. They assert that nuclear plants can lead to major disasters and leave
behind waste that cannot be safely stored.
"Nuclear power is a dead-end in California, and we shouldn't be wasting
resources on such an expensive and problematic energy option," said Bill
Magavern, director of Sierra Club California. "We have far cleaner, cheaper
and safer energy resources like solar, wind and geothermal, and we should be
investing in those."
Three plants serve California
The federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission oversees the operation of nuclear
plants in the United States, but California lawmakers in 1976 imposed a ban
on new plants until the NRC could resolve long-term storage for spent fuel
rods or determine appropriate means for reprocessing them.
The California Energy Commission in a 2007 report determined that little has
changed in regard to waste storage or reprocessing in the country,
precluding the state from reversing the moratorium.
California currently has two nuclear sites in operation, Diablo Canyon near
San Luis Obispo and San Onofre near San Clemente. The power plants were
approved before the moratorium took effect and are roughly halfway through
the 40-year period for which they have been licensed. A third nuclear plant
near Phoenix also provides electricity to the state.
The three plants contribute roughly 15 percent of the state's overall energy
portfolio, according to the energy commission. The state also has seen the
closure of three nuclear plants, including Rancho Seco in southeast
Sacramento County, which voters agreed to shutter in 1989.
In September, Schwarzenegger appeared at the Commonwealth Club of California
to celebrate the two-year anniversary of Assembly Bill 32, which committed
the state to lowering its greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent by 2020. To
reach that mark, the state will rely heavily on an expansion in alternative
fuels and a major reduction in fossil fuel use by drivers.
Asked about nuclear power at the AB 32 celebration, Schwarzenegger said: "It
drives me nuts when I go over to France and they get 80 percent of their
power with no greenhouse gas emissions whatsoever from nuclear power. And
they have been safe, they have been handling it the right way and they are
building some more. So I think we should look at that again and revisit it."
A Field Poll released in July showed that 50 percent of voters support
building new nuclear plants in California, compared to 41 percent who are
opposed. In 1990, only 38 percent supported new plants.
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Call Kevin Yamamura, Bee Capitol Bureau, (916) 326-5548.
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