PARTIES SPLIT ON NUCLEAR POWER

摘要

If you are as tired of the "permanent campaign" as I am, you may not welcome yet another political discussion. But with the presidential election coming soon, I think it is appropriate to review the presidential candidates' positions with regard to energy in general, and nuclear energy in particular. One must recognize that the president is limited in his power to create positive momentum in the economy, to increase energy production or to utilize a particular energy technology. For example, the president can't create productive jobs; he can only influence monetary policy and economy-related legislation enough to create favorable conditions. Similarly, the president cannot control energy supply or demand significantly, but can only influence economic or energy legislation to affect the energy demand/supply situation. Regarding nuclear energy, the president cannot build new nuclear plants; he can only influence a combination of economic conditions, regulatory policy and specific energy legislation that will encourage additional nuclear capacity.