Nuclear Plant Failures In Japan Should Stop Wisconsin Nuke Lovers

Pretty scary headline on this Washington Post story:

Explosion rocks Japanese nuclear power plant; 5 reactors in peril

Made me recall (you just can't get away from that word in Wisconsin these days) another item and recent headline:

Lift ban on new nuclear plants in Wisconsin

That was on an editorial in the Wisconsin State Journal, just days after Republicans took control of the government in November.  A few lines right from the top are now in some better perspective - - and not just about nuclear power, as the biomass and wind options cited have been blocked or cancelled outright by Walker and his legislative and political allies, too.

"Republicans who just won control of the state Capitol in Madison should lift a ban on the construction of new nuclear power plants...

"Gov.-elect Scott Walker spoke in favor of lifting Wisconsin's moratorium during his successful campaign. Many other Republicans and a growing list of Democrats are on board, too...

"Technology has improved safety and efficiency. Some countries, such as France and Japan, are even recycling their spent fuel...

"Wisconsin is striving to use more biomass from forest and farm waste for energy. Wisconsin has finally made it easier to erect wind turbines across the state. Solar energy is starting to become more affordable to harness.

"But nuclear power is Wisconsin's only major source of carbon-free electricity, and it can be generated around the clock.

"Wisconsin needs to keep its future energy options open, and that's what lifting the moratorium on new nuclear power plants will accomplish."