As FR readers are well aware, Assemblyman Chuck DeVore this year authored a ballot iniatiative that, if passed, would allow for the construction of new nuclear power plants in some parts of California. Despite the fact that this source of power has proven to be safe (there have been no significant radiation leaks from reactors in a very, very long time and the technology used in these plants only gets better), and despite the fact that nuclear power is among the sources of energy that contributes the least to the amount of human-produces carbon into the air (for those who buy the global warming alarmist spin), DeVore was unable to garner sufficient support to move this measure forward for the 2008 election. I asked the Assemblyman to share with FR readers his thoughts…
Overturning California’s nuclear power ban Jerry Brown signed into existence in 1976 is going to take a sustained effort – and, that is what I intend to do. I introduced a bill early this year that was defeated on a party line vote in the Assembly Natural Resources Committee. The chairwoman, Loni Hancock, cut off my opening statement in mid-sentence. In spite of this, we received a tremendous amount of interest around the state.
Since our electricity generation issues are only going to get worse under current policy, I decided to file an initiative to lift California’s 31-year nuclear ban. We knew it would be a challenge – but you can’t beat something with nothing. The initiative served as a focal point for a much-needed discussion as to exactly how California can provide affordable power to a growing population while at the same time reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
With the initiative filed, we were able to do two statewide polls, following on to a statewide poll done in July by a group of nuclear power supporters out of Fresno. The Fresno poll showed the public backing nuclear power by a margin of 52-42 – encouraging, to be sure, but not enough to launch a successful statewide ballot initiative. Our follow up polls showed the same public opinion climate: slight support for nuclear power. Further, our polling showed that when voters where given the facts on the pro-nuclear side and the arguments against nuclear power, that there was a modest improvement in support for nuclear power. This was all encouraging, but the standard rule of thumb in California initiatives is that, to be successful in the face of well-funded opposition, an initiative has to start out with support in the mid- to high-60s. We therefore decided that the time was not yet right to push to bring an initiative lifting the nuclear ban to the ballot. Discretion is the better part of valor.
We will keep trying, again and again. California’s energy challenges will not be solved with wind and solar power alone. To the contrary, over reliance on wind and solar power will cause energy costs to rise and grid reliability to fall – all while doing nothing to lessen our reliance on natural gas and doing very little to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as now required by law.
As electricity costs rise and people’s lives and jobs are negatively impacted, voters’ openness to taking another look at nuclear power will increase. When the voters reconsider nuclear power, we’ll be there to help them take charge of their energy future.
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