MN Senate panel hears case to end MN nuclear ban

[Eric J in MN]

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The campaign to repeal the ban is backed by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, the Minnesota Pipe Trades Association and others in a coalition called Sensible Energy Solutions for Minnesota.


"As we look ahead, we must put nuclear power -- the most sensible and carbon-free base-load electricity source in existence -- back on the table as an energy option," said David Olson, Minnesota Chamber President.


Republican Senator Amy Koch, author of the bill, has said the current moratorium has left the state with "one hand tied behind its back".


The Senate Energy, Utilities Technology and Communications Committee is expected to vote on the bill on Thursday.

http://www.energydigital.com/MarketSector/Renewables/Senate-panel-hears-case-to-lift-Minnesota-nuclear-ban_41789.aspx
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I don't want more nuclear power plants. They get radioactive material into the environment even when there isn't a big event.

[geardaddy]

1. K & R

Thanks for posting this.

[becxx]

2. And Klobuchar has become a nuker too

Yes, thanks for posting this. Klobuchar is now a nuke advocate too. I guess if Klobuchar nukes folks, they won't need health insurance or jobs either. Klobuchar doesn't seem all that interesting helping us with the health insurance and jobs issue either.

[glinda]

3. Yup. Higher cancer rate in Red Wing area and they gave out special pills to the community

in case there is a leak. Or so the news said. They also have a problem with one of the casks there I understand. Cracked???? Or something like that including the fact that if the area floods all those storage containers could be floating around.

[Minnesota Raindog]

4. The bill was amended (in a good way) and it appears the author is pulling it

http://politicsinminnesota.com/blog/2010/03/bill-to-lift-nuclear-plant-construction-ban-stalls-in-senate-committee/

The chief sponsor, Sen. Amy Koch, R-Buffalo, said the amendment, which was offered by Sen. John Doll, DFL-Bloomington, “guts” her bill. The bill as amended now bars utilities from charging ratepayers for construction costs before a plant is completed. Doll’s amendment also requires a federal nuclear waste repository be created to store spent nuclear fuel rods.

Sen. Ray Vandeveer, R-Forest Lake, said the new requirements in the bill would prevent energy companies from building nuclear power plants in Minnesota.

“The Doll amendment puts us in the dark ages and it keeps us there and condemns us there,” Vandeveer said.


The "dark ages?" Say Ray, since you represent my district, can you tell me the last time we had a brownout?

[dflprincess]

5. John Doll is my senator

I will have to pat him on the back at the district convention Saturday.