well the president hasn't backed away from
nuclear energy despite the unfolding tragedy
in japan, cenk uygur has some thoughts on
that in our “daily rant.” hello, sir.
i’m really, really worried about what’s
happening in japan. we’re going to talk
about it at 6:00. i think there’s of course,
some chance we’re on the brink of a massive
catastrophe. i think that’s incredibly real.
obviously i think the people in this country
should be worried, because we have a lot of
nuclear plants, but apparently the republicans
aren’t wore, and the president doesn’t
seem worried. let’s listen to what he had
to say.
i instructed our nuclear regulatory agency
to make sure that we take lessons learns and
we are constantly upgrading how we approach
or nuclear safety in this country.
that sounds good, but when energy secretary
chu was it was, congressman barton asked him,
hey, look, have you changed the policy at
all? i don’t think barton wants to change
the policy. the republicans love the policy
— build more nuclear plants. let’s listen
to chu’s answer.
>> in light of what’s happened in japan,
i would like to hear what you believe president
obama’s position is now on nuclear power
in the united states.
the present budget is what it is, and we’re
asking for loan guaranties. it’s also calling
for small reactors, that position has not
been changed.
so that’s a yes.
that’s a yes.
that’s a yes. we’re going to continue
on the path where we build 20 new nuclear
plants, we’ve got about $36 billion budgeted
for it. when you return to the republicans,
they think nuclear problems in japan, no problem
whatsoever. here’s senator inhofe,publican
from is i t oklahoma. once in 300 years a
disaster occurs, and they’re all waiting
for it, and the japanese are calm and ? collected.
only the politicians over here are hysterical.
as you get records from japan, they are significantly
worried. they’re not sitting around there,
oh, it’s no problem senator inhofe. that’s
a ridiculous statement to make. once every
300 years? how about three mile island in
’79, chernobyl in ’86, and you can say,
hey, no within got seriously hurt. chernobyl
and now japan? that’s not one every 300
years. that’s absurd to say that. look at
what our situation is. we get 20% of our energy
in this country from nuclear reactors, which
is a very high percentage. we have 104 reactors
all throughout the country. here’s where
it gets dangerous. 3 million americans live
within 10 miles of an operating nuclear power
plant. here’s one of the reasons why both
sides of the aisle seem to be in favor of
it. you’re going to be shocked — the money.
the lobbyists pouring in money. of course,
nuclear energy can almost not exist without
subsidies. the nuclear centering institute
has spent $23.76 million — $3.76 million.
that’s $and money to candidates’ p.a.c.s
as well. exelon, that’s specific money to
candidates, but also in lobbying over $3 million
as well. florida power and light dwlr 507,000,
duke energy$475,000, so even though everybody
in america and japan and aescrows the world
has significant concerns, very justifiably
so, our politicians aren’t worried at all.
they’re still cashing their checks.
>> would you be hope to — what occurs to
me is listen, there’s clearly risk with
nuclear energy. not only that, there clearly
are other way toss derive nuclear energy that
don’t go to the systems developed in the
’50 z, ’60s and ’70s, as well as many
of our other systems. all renovated for the
benefit — well, it’s a different thing.
is there some environment under this you think
there could be a peace made.
yes.
understanding oil — extracting energy from
the earth is dangerous.
i don’t want people to get me wrong. i’m
not against nuclear energy. i don’t know
what my stance is. i’d like to study it
more, right? i’d like for people to go and
say, my god, how can we avoid that? if we
can do it safely, here’s how we avoid what
happened in japan, let’s have a conversation,
but to rush forward on plans to building all
those plants, it’s crazy without that check
first.
cenk, of course, tonight at 6:00 p.m. eastern.
