As the nation strives to cut pollution, advocates for nuclear power say it could provide a clean and affordable energy source. However, Dan Kohler of Wisconsin Environment says a study released by the group shows nuclear should not be an option and building new power plants could actually hurt efforts to fight global warming.
According to the report, even if the nation built 100 new nuclear power plants by 2030, it would only reduce emissions by 12-percent. He says that falls far short of the carbon emission budget that many experts have predicted is needed to prevent the most catastrophic impacts of global warming.
Supporters of an effort to ease Wisconsin’s moratorium on new nuclear power plants argue it could help reduce pollution and global warming. Kohler says all options should be on the table, but he thinks there are more cost effective solutions.
Kohler says we can spend $600 billion on new nuclear power plants and get half the results the same money would get if it were directed at conservation and renewable energy technologies.
AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (MP3 1:11)
