I would love to see about 8 new nuclear power plants constructed here in the U.S. in the next decade.
Remember how awesome the Zion plant was? Ask anyone in Waukegan.
the texas problem is emblematic of a broader issue we suffer — elected officials convincing voters that they can have everything, yet pay very little in taxes. they combine this message with the constant drumbeat that government is corrupt and incompetent, and only the private sector can solve all of our problems. all of this is playing out in texas right now, as people freeze in dark homes, and the leaders blame solar and wind, rather than acknowledge their own failures to incentivize investments in the energy infrastructure. the reality is that things cost money, and our leaders need to be honest about that. another reality is that, as president Obama said, energy policy has to be an all in approach, at least in the short term. its good to work toward all clean and renewable energy, but we cannot get there without nuclear, particularly in illinois. we also cannot get there when our leaders pander to the regional energy players who still push fossil fuels. its time to be bold. illinois needs to use this texas experience as an example of how not to do things. a comprehensive energy bill needs to be passed and signed this year. one that protects the nuclear fleet, and one that increases the use of renewable energy sources. put aside the political nonsense. this isn’t a time to focus group and demonize how things were done in the past. put your safeguards in place to ensure a repeat of the activity that is described in the comed deferred prosecution agreement never happens again. but don’t use that as an excuse to fail to lead.