Dan Yurman of Idaho Samizdat has posted a comment provoking blog entry describing potential job creation effects of an expansion of the DOE nuclear power plant loan guarantee program initially authorized by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. One important point for all decision makers to understand is that the program could and should cost the taxpayers – NOTHING. The key to success is consistent standards with firm decision making that is not subject to constant review after it is complete.
I have no doubt that we have the skills, dedication, and hard working people necessary to successfully complete new power plants on time and within budget. I also have no doubt that we have a legal system and a group of professional anti-nuclear activists that can throw a wrench into the best projects if given a chance. We have a choice – well built plants that can economically supply low cost, emission free power for as long as most of us are going to be alive, or failed projects that become monuments to our continued addiction to fossil fuel combustion.
My vote is with the current and future nukes that can make the new Atomic Age a greater success than the first one.
