Democratic presidential candidates, Nuclear power

Democratic candidates divided and unclear on using nuclear power to stop climate change

By Roger Straw, September 7, 2019

Here are three good articles that show where the Dem candidates for president stand on nuclear energy:

      1. The Washington Post – Where Democrats Stand on Climate Change [Note: on the Post website, you can hover your mouse over a candidate’s photo for more info on their position.]

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      2. The Verge – Democrats are divided on using nuclear energy to stop climate change   Climate town hall shows split in candidates’ nuclear policies, by Justine Calma, Sep 5, 2019
        Three Mile Island nuclear generating station, as seen in March 2019. Photo by Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / AFP / Getty Images

        More than 70 percent of Democratic midterm voters not only think climate change is happening, they’re actually “very concerned” about it, according to an Associated Press poll. Democratic candidates are catering to that with a slew of climate plans that, frankly, say a lot of similar things.
        ¶ Do you think climate change is a big deal? Check. Should the US recommit itself to the Paris climate agreement? Check. Do we need net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050? Check.
        ¶ Should the US turn to nuclear energy as a way to stop burning planet-warming fossil fuels? Now that’s where it gets really juicy.  […continued…]

      3. DeSmog – Bernie Sanders’ Plan to Phase out Nuclear Power Draws Attacks — Here’s Why They’re Wrong, by Justin Mikulka, Aug 30, 2019
        Senator and Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders has released an ambitious climate proposal, one which champions of the status quo were quick to criticize. One line of attack, coming from many different sources, focuses on Sanders’ plan to phase out nuclear power, but the arguments, and who is behind them, deserve a closer look.
        ¶ Sanders’ proposal refers to nuclear power as one of several “false solutions” to the climate crisis: “To get to our goal of 100 percent sustainable energy, we will not rely on any false solutions like nuclear, geoengineering, carbon capture and sequestration, or trash incinerators.”
        ¶ The Washington Post editorial board quickly blasted Sanders’ plan to eliminate nuclear power… […continued…]