Governor Jim Doyle is clarifying his statements regarding new nuclear power plants in Wisconsin.
Republicans claim the Governor is parting ways with Barack Obama's presidential platform regarding nuclear power plants, after Doyle said Wisconsin could explore new construction. The Governor says his message is consistent with Obama's.
Still, Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch (R-West Salem) says the Governor's statements are encouraging. Huebsch says the Governor has opposed past efforts to lift Wisconsin's moratorium on new nuclear power plants. He says that's why legislation passed in the Assembly last spring to remove the moratorium was not advanced to the Senate. Huebsch says Republicans will try again next session, now that the Governor appears to be more open to the idea.
The state's moratorium prevents new nuclear power plants from being built until the waste can be safely disposed of and the energy option is economically viable. It's been in place since 1983.
However, Doyle has not said he wants to completely lift the moratorium. He just supports a task force recommendation that the state look into new nuclear power options. Doyle says the state can't keep "its head in the sand" when it comes to new energy sources.
