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Atomic Insights

Atomic energy technology, politics, and perceptions from a nuclear energy insider who served as a US nuclear submarine engineer officer

Nuclear war of words in California

March 26, 2008 By Rod Adams

Janis Mara of the Contra Costa Times published a summary article about the conflicted response to nuclear power in California titled Nuclear War in California. It is worth a read. Please remember as you read it, however, that good journalists work very hard not to reveal their own stance on an issue. That is why you will never hear me describe myself as a journalist – I write, but I do not just report the words that others utter without comment.

For example, here is an exchange that provides a point, counterpoint question whose answer that should be easy to resolve – how many jobs does a nuclear plant provide?

Speaking of the proposed plant, “You’re probably looking at 1,000 jobs after the plant is built,” DeVore said.

“He has just told you after spending $4 billion, you’ll have 1,000 jobs?” responded Ralph Cavanagh, energy program co-director for environmental group National Resources Defense Council, or NRDC.

“A nuclear plant is not a job-intensive use of money. Most of your money is going to equipment and a small number of operators,” Cavanagh said. “If you really want to create jobs, the best thing for Fresno would be to run a massive energy-efficiency campaign and cycle the dollars through Fresno’s economy.”

According to sworn testimony dated December 10, 2007, for example, the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant, a two reactor power station in California, provides 1400 jobs with an average paycheck that is 60% higher than the county average where the plant is located. In other words, it seems that DeVore is much closer to reality than Mr. Cavanagh. That is especially true when you consider how many jobs might be produced by turning off unused lights, installing efficient light bulbs and putting weather strips on windows and doors.

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About Rod Adams

Rod Adams is Managing Partner of Nucleation Capital, a venture fund that invests in advanced nuclear, which provides affordable access to this clean energy sector to pronuclear and impact investors. Rod, a former submarine Engineer Officer and founder of Adams Atomic Engines, Inc., which was one of the earliest advanced nuclear ventures, is an atomic energy expert with small nuclear plant operating and design experience. He has engaged in technical, strategic, political, historic and financial analysis of the nuclear industry, its technology, regulation, and policies for several decades through Atomic Insights, both as its primary blogger and as host of The Atomic Show Podcast. Please click here to subscribe to the Atomic Show RSS feed. To join Rod's pronuclear network and receive his occasional newsletter, click here.

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