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3/13/2009
Huebsch: It's not an energy policy if it ignores nuclear
Yesterday, the energy committees of the state Senate and state Assembly met jointly to hear from the advocates and opponents of expanding the use of nuclear power in Wisconsin. Just two of the nine speakers opposed nuclear power, and neither of them did so very convincingly. This was probably because they had the misfortune of following Greenpeace founder Dr. Patrick Moore’s compelling appeal to expand nuclear power. It’s proof we’ve come a long way in the eight years since I began trying to bring common sense to Wisconsin’s energy policy.
Armed with research and historical facts, in 2001, some Onalaska high school students urged me to advocate for the expansion of nuclear power in Wisconsin since it is safe, reliable and emissions free. After doing my own research, I found they were right. Wisconsin has two nuclear power stations, but when nuclear fell out of favor, lawmakers banned future expansions. This, combined with policy decisions in the 1980s and 1990s that prevented any significant upgrades of our energy infrastructure, had Wisconsin looking over the edge of a cliff by 1997.
During a heat wave that summer, we narrowly escaped rolling blackouts when several power plants in and near Wisconsin were shut down for maintenance and transmission lines carrying electricity were at capacity. In 1998, twenty-two large industrial customers lost power when a major power plant was forced to shut down for emergency repairs. Due to peak demand at the time, Wisconsin’s transmission system didn’t have the capacity to bring in additional electricity from other states.
Lawmakers acted quickly to eliminate regulatory roadblocks to constructing new electric generation and transmission. But, we still had a lot of decisions to make and the debate raged on about whether we should build plants here or buy power from nearby states, whether we should try to conserve our way out of the problem, and whether wind alone - which only blows 40 percent of the time - was the magic bullet. For me, there was no better time to put a repeal of the nuclear moratorium on the table.
I set out to introduce a bill, but was advised by many that the time was not right - that if nuclear power was to have a rebirth, it would mean a coordinated national effort. If a no-name fourth-term state legislator took this on, I’d be dismissed as out of touch and part of the fringe. People would wonder why I had never heard of Three Mile Island or seen the China Syndrome.
But Wisconsin continued to develop an incomplete energy policy that ignored a source that could address our supply constraints while lowering emissions. Finally in 2003, I introduced a bill to repeal Wisconsin's nuclear moratorium. Nuclear supporters from all walks of life and industries voiced their support, and national experts and award-winning scientist traveled to Wisconsin to weigh in. Our state’s environmental advocates and the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) still opposed the reform, but we were making progress.
The repeal finally passed the state Assembly in 2008 after several years of debate and a turning of the tide at the national level. It died in the state Senate but, around that time, the governor’s Global Warming Task Force recommended modifications to the moratorium. I expect legislation developed by Governor Doyle and the Public Service Commission to be introduced this summer. I am hopeful that it will contain a genuine repeal of the moratorium and not merely modifications with conditions and caveats they know can never be met. Simply paying lip service to nuclear would be a curious path to choose since there is nothing stopping them from doing it right. Leaders in the both political parties, mainstream environmental groups and energy experts have all recognized the legitimate role of nuclear power in our nation’s energy policy. It is safe, reliable, and environmentally friendly. Together with wind, geothermal, solar, hydro, and biomass it can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, while meeting an ever-growing demand.
Still, CUB and Clean Wisconsin are standing firm against nuclear power with arguments so tired and cliché that I expected them to wave a picture of Jane Fonda before the committee. After three hours of testimony from experts who said the roadblocks to nuclear waste disposal are political, not scientific or safety-based, and that emerging technologies are making it possible to recycle spent fuel, Clean Wisconsin hung its hat on the argument that safe disposal isn’t feasible.
For its part, CUB said nuclear plants are too expensive and that natural gas is a better option. In addition to the volatility of the natural gas market that produces price spikes, it emits 3700 percent more greenhouses gases than nuclear, according to a UW-Madison study. Furthermore, the cost of nuclear plants is mostly construction and staffing– and Wisconsin can use jobs right now – and frivolous litigation initiated by groups like CUB and Clean Wisconsin. From where I stand, people who believe man’s behavior can slow or reverse global warming, but refuse to consider nuclear energy as a strategy, lack a serious commitment to real change.
Our reliance on technology at home and at work means energy usage won’t decline even as our buildings and homes become more efficient. No matter how passionately we want to protect the environment for our children and grandchildren, the vast majority of Americans are not going to give up our TV’s and computers, work by candlelight or chop wood to heat our homes. Former vice-president Al Gore's own "carbon footprint", is proof of that. We will always need affordable, reliable, base load generation and today nuclear is the most environmentally friendly option out there.
Mike Huebsch is a Republican and represents the residents of the 94th Assembly District.
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