Energy policy needed to support nuclear generation

摘要

The development of a national energy policy that reduces the United States' dependence on fossil fuels and promotes clean energy is once again on the legislative front burner as a result of the catastrophic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. President Barack Obama and other national leaders have pointed to the oil spill as justification for moving quickly to enact environmental legislation, including cap and trade, as well as requirements for the use of renewable energy sources. In theory, a move away from fossil fuels to clean, noncarbon-emitting sources of energy should bode well for the nuclear power industry in the United States, but the construction of new nuclear power plants does not lend itself to short-term political agendas or current events.