Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

We Must Include Nuclear Power in the Energy Discussion

By John Shimkus

, U.S. Representative, Illinois's 19th District

February 3, 2012

About John Shimkus:

ep. John Shimkus is a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois’s 19th District. He is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

An expansion of commercial nuclear power is critical to any serious "all of the above" energy policy. It is one of the few sources we have today capable of producing electricity on a massive scale with minimal air pollution and long-term price stability. Anyone who cares deeply about the climate change debate should recognize the potential of nuclear power to reduce emissions without destroying jobs.
With America's energy demand expected to increase by 29 percent by 2030, we need to construct at least 30 new nuclear plants in the next 22 years to keep nuclear power at 20 percent of our energy portfolio. This new construction would not only make us more energy independent but would create thousands of jobs in a variety of industries while generating new tax revenue for states and local communities.http://www.usnews.com/debate-club/should-nuclear-power-be-expanded/we-must-include-nuclear-power-in-the-energy-discussion