Debating a Nuclear Revival

The Obama administration has proposed billions in loan guarantees to restart the nuclear power industry. This week, the President said it’s a “necessary step” in creating a new low-carbon economy.
Republicans may give the White House some bipartisan support on this one. But critics are already saying that the economics — not to mention the perpetual safety and storage concerns — make this a bad deal.
The debate is now live — and it may affect America’s energy landscape, economy, and environment for decades to come.
This hour, On Point: Debating an American nuclear renaissance.
Guests:

Joining us from Washington is Stephen Power, reporter for The Wall Street Journal covering energy and environmental issues. He's written recently about the Obama administration's energy priorities as reflected in the new budget.

Also from Washington, we're joined by Edwin Lyman, senior scientist in the Global Security program at the Union of Concerned Scientists and former president of the Nuclear Control Institute.

And from Madison, Wisconsin, is Paul Wilson, professor of nuclear engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He chairs the Energy Analysis and Policy Program of the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin.