New York Post: "Nuclear or Bust"

In the wake of last week's speech on energy policy by former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, the New York Post is endorsing new nuclear build in New York State:

[T]the Indian Point nuclear plant in Westchester, which provides Gotham with 20 percent of its juice, has been a constant target of local activists, fearmongers and demagogues who demand it be closed.

That is truly pathetic. A federal report recently noted just how indispensable the plant is to the region's energy supply - and just how nutty it would be to close it, given the lack of alternatives.

At the same time, you just need to recall the 2003 blackout - and the billions lost in that debacle - to appreciate New York's (and America's) need for adequate supplies of electricity.

For nuclear power to play a greater role in the energy mix, pols must show some commitment to the industry. (Hear that, Gov.-Presumptive Eliot Spitzer?)

Giuliani - who, as mayor, proved New York to be governable after all - had it right again last week: For the sake of the economy, and U.S. security, it's time for America to go nuclear.

As my colleague David Bradish noted a number of months ago, convincing Spitzer of the value of current and new nuclear generating capacity may be an uphill battle. For more, click here.

Thanks to our friend Norris McDonald for the pointer.

Technorati tags: Nuclear Energy, Nuclear Power, Energy, Technology, Environment, Electricity, Rudy Giuliani, Eliot Spitzer, New York