From the Nuclear Information and Resources Service
http://www.nirs.org/
The Waxman-Markey climate bill (HR 2454) is now scheduled to reach the House floor for a final vote on Friday, June 26. The House is apparently hoping to finish work on this enormous bill in one day, which means there likely will be few, if any, amendments allowed for consideration.
Still, there is some threat that some amendments will be considered. And we already have seen one proposed amendment, from Reps. Baron Hill (D-IN) and Fred Upton (R-MI), that would provide still more nuclear subsidies—this time including subsidies and tax credits for reactor manufacturing, encouraging a nuclear workforce, and encouraging reactor exports, among other issues. If amendments are allowed, other pro-nuclear amendments are likely.
Even if amendments are not allowed, opponents of the climate bill are likely to be given the opportunity to offer a full substitute bill. We have not yet seen such a bill, but this could well include key provisions of the Republicans’ energy policy, including support for construction of 100 new reactors.
The climate bill itself, which aims to place a price on carbon, is an indirect benefit to nuclear power. As a low-carbon emitter compared to coal, nuclear will benefit economically as the price of using coal rises. And that should be enough support for nuclear—there must not be any direct subsidies for this dirty and dangerous technology.
Thus, it is important to contact your House members now and let them know that enough is enough: there must be no more taxpayer support for nuclear power in the climate bill. Please send your member the letter below (please feel free to edit as you wish) and please call your member with this message as well: Capitol Switchboard, 202-224-3121.
