What Are The Politics Behind Nuclear Power In The U.S.?........

[global1]

I asked this question late last night but everyone's attention was on the disaster in making at the nuclear plant in Japan.

We have many nuclear plants in the U.S. I hear that they are regulated by the NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission). I understand that the NRC is extending licenses to many problematic nuclear plants here in the U.S. I also understand that GE is the builder of some of the most problematic plants both here and in Japan.

Last night I heard that the Dems are calling for hearings on nuclear energy to assess the potential for a similar disaster here.

Last night CNN kept on playing President Obama's comments about expanding nuclear energy and his pointing to Japan as a fine example of a country using nuclear energy.

What is going to be the impact of the Japanese disaster here in the U.S. politically?

How do the Dems and Repugs line up behind nuclear energy? Do the Repugs and corporations like GE push for nuclear energy?
Now that we have this disaster in Japan will the Repugs find a way to put Obama in another no win situation.

They are blaming Obama for the rise in gas prices here. What will they blame him for regarding nuclear energy?

Essentially - what are the politics of all this and how will it play out in the days, months and years going forward?

With respect to the NRC - how is it staffed? Are the powers at be at the NRC political appointments? Is so - were they appointed by Bush and not replaced yet or were they appointed by Obama?

[el_bryanto]

1. I think the NRC appointments are non-partisan

And I don't think this one will play out in the party political world; both Democrats and Republicans are largely in favor of Nuclear Power. There are liberals who oppose it; and they will start protesting (and such protests should carry more weight with this current tragedy), but I doubt many politicians will pick up on it as an issue.

Bryant

[old mark]

2. K&R the original push for nuclear reactors here was heavily funded mainly by the

power and construction businesses and the politicians of both parties who got very generous "contributions" from those businesses...
The politics of it is simply money.

mark

[RoccoR5955]

3. It's plain and simple. Follow the money

Follow the money and you will find that funds these politicians, and then see how things will shape up in the future.