McCain Plans to Almost Double U.S. Nuclear Reactors

June 19 (Bloomberg) -- Republican presidential candidate John McCain will push to almost double the number of nuclear reactors in the U.S. as part of a broad plan to address the nation's energy woes.

On the second day of a two-week tour to promote his energy security proposal, McCain told an audience in Springfield, Missouri, yesterday that he would increase research in so-called clean-coal technology and push to add 100 new nuclear reactors, almost double the 104 nuclear plants now in use.

``I will set this nation on a course to building 45 new reactors by the year 2030, with the ultimate goal of 100 new plants to power the homes and factories and cities of America,'' McCain said. ``This task will be as difficult as it is necessary. We will need to recover all the knowledge and skills that have been lost over three stagnant decades in a highly technical field.''

McCain's remarks build on a speech in Houston on June 17 in which he laid out the elements of his energy plan. Central to that plan is expansion of offshore drilling for oil and natural gas, a proposal that is under fire from his Democratic rival, Illinois Senator Barack Obama, and environmental groups.

``One obstacle to expanding our nuclear-powered electricity is the mindset of those who prefer to buy time and hope that our energy problems will somehow solve themselves,'' McCain said, noting that Obama's home state of Illinois has more nuclear reactors than any other.

Clean-Burning Coal

McCain, an Arizona senator, also vowed to spend $2 billion on research into clean-burning coal.

``This single achievement will open vast amounts of our oldest and most abundant resource,'' McCain, 71, said. ``It will deliver not only electricity but jobs to some of the areas hardest hit by our economic troubles.

McCain's energy plan also includes spending on renewable resources such as wind and solar power.

McCain was joined at the forum by Michael Chesser, chairman and CEO of Kansas City, Missouri-based Great Plains Energy, and Greg Boyce, chairman and CEO of St. Louis-based Peabody Coal, the largest U.S. coal producer, who said a patchwork of state and federal regulations are hampering their ability to build new power generators.

``We need to have a regulatory compact in place,'' Chesser said. ``There are definitely things you could do as president to facilitate that environment.''

McCain also touted his environmental bona fides at a fundraiser in Chicago last night. In a 10-minute film preceding his appearance at the Drake Hotel, McCain made an appeal to outdoorsmen.

``Our ability to hunt and fish and enjoy the great national treasures of America is something I'd like to preserve,'' McCain said in the film. ``I'm committed to preserving the enjoyment of the great national treasures of the most beautiful nation in the world.''
Bloomberg.com: U.S.

Increasing the Clean Use of Illinois Coal

Senator Obama worked with Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY) to secure $85 million for research into a process that will turn Illinois-basin coal into clean-burning fuel for cars and trucks (Fischer-Tropsch fuels). Coal fuel has powered all of South Africa's cars and trucks for the last 50 years. The research could help us one day satisfy our energy needs from Illinois' coal mines instead of Saudi Arabia's oil fields.
Barack Obama : : Change We Can Believe In | Chris Pichardo's Blog

Well at least they agree on one issue.:thumbsup:

Have a good one!:s4:

I think everyone around the world is realising that we need to find alternate solutions for the current and future energy crisis.
There has been too little spent on research into renewable energy sources and too much reliance on oil supplies , that is now kicking everyones arse. The only realistic future has to be one of solar and nuclear power .
There are those who believe that biofuel is the way to go but that simply won't work because of the scale of growing that would be needed. Imagine how many fields you would need to supply America with biofuel , fields that currently grow crops for consumption would be given over to Rape to make fuel , this would affect the food supply chain on a massive scale.

I totally agree with McCain North America has to start producing cleaner forms of energy whether that is nuclear or sun power.....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fishman3811

I totally agree with McCain North America has to start producing cleaner forms of energy whether that is nuclear or sun power.....

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this is the absolute first time I have ever said this: I agree 100% fishman! finally we agree..........:stoned:

What are you going to do with the radioactive waste?
Wouldn't they just be more targets for the terrorists hiding behind every bush? And so won't the right wingers try to use that to justify more military spending to protect these places? And a further excuse to violate peoples civil rights even further?

P4B lol at least somethings we can agree on same with you IDG420.Killerweed you have apoint about the waste but something has to be done and one day we shall figure out what to do with the waste but until that time nuclear power plants are a good form of energy.Isnt France the leading country in nuclear power plants?What do they do with their waste?