The critical first US House vote on a proposed $36 billion loan guarantee package for reactor construction may come as early as June 2. According to noted antinuclear activist Harvey Wasserman:
"Some $18.5 billion in loan guarantees for new reactor construction was put in place under George W. Bush. In 2007 the nuclear lobby tried to add $50 billion. The industry has spent some $645 million---$64.5 million per year---over the last decade twisting Congressional arms."Wow.
President Obama designated $8.33 billion in loan guarantees for two reactors in Georgia. Two other reactors are scheduled for South Carolina, where ratepayers will pay the bill as construction proceeds.
But $36 billion in proposed new guarantees were stripped out of the Continuing Resolution that's funding the government for 2011. Now Obama wants them for 2012.
The anti-nukers are circling the wagons to stop the $36 billion in proposed new loan guarantees. And knowing how the environmental movement can rally around a cause, we would not be surprised if the loan guarantees are eliminated. (Common Dreams, 5/16/2011)
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