Jim Doyle Rethinking Nuclear Energy

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is reporting that Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle (D) is reconsidering his longtime opposition to the expansion of nuclear energy.

Gov. Jim Doyle on Wednesday agreed with a study panel's call to change Wisconsin's 1983 moratorium on nuclear power plants to prepare for the coming national debate over that type of energy.

At a news conference, Doyle told reporters that his Task Force on Global Warming took a responsible step by recommending changes in the law.

The task force asked that Wisconsin “begin to consider (nuclear power) without the hurdles that the current law puts up — where it can’t even be really thought about,” Doyle said. “I don’t think we should be sitting with our heads in the sand.”

The 1983 law “basically keeps you from even thinking about” the process of approving a new nuclear plant in Wisconsin, he added.

“Let’s at least allow the Public Service Commission to look at” that option, the governor said, referring to the state agency that regulates utilities.