Death to the USA?

It seems that the US is under attack on many fronts. One of which is from within, as we battle over (fill in the blank, or just say 'everything') in a highly partisan fashion, as if party 'loyalty' (read: special interest groups and lobbyists, or just say MONEY) is more important than our country. BOTH parties are guilty and I am ashamed at our government. PERIOD. It makes me want to go read Vince Flynn's Term Limits again! We are also under attack from terrorists here (arrests in NYC and Colorado?) and abroad. Regardless of that fact, and how G-20 wants to further emasculate our country, I hear today that the UN wants us to step it up re: climate change. Likewise, President Obama pledges that the US will do its part to reduce greenhouse gases and emissions. I actually agree with him in principle. While I do think Al Gore is an alarmist, self-serving person (with tainted 'facts' to support his beliefs), climate change is something for us to deal with. While I don't buy into all the arguments (and vehemently argue that 'cap and trade' is the worlds largest shell game) I feel that we CAN do so much more to work on reducing emissions.

Today's rant? The UN wants us to curb emissions--the main emissions are from our coal-fired plants. I know that most of our utilities are entrenched with this technology. Likewise, the coal 'scrubbers' to clean the emissions are incredibly expensive. Who pays for that? Not only do the utility companies, but WE pay for it as well. However, the utilities have to 'ask' to raise rates and the PSC won't always allow it, so the utilities continue to put off implementing scrubbers as long as possible; can't say I blame them!

What is the white horse for utilities? Windmills are cool (check out the photo from Maui, Hawaii) but not all areas are conducive to generating the power necessary to run our utilities; likewise, how do you get the power to the people (sorry, easiest phrase to use!). The best option may be nuclear power. Yep, I said the n-word (not THAT n-word, but it's almost as offensive to enviromentalists!). I acknowledge that the spent fuel is an issue, but nuclear is a great alternative; an alternative that finds great success throughout the world--in countries without as much regulation. If we can run a fleet of nuclear powered submarines, why can't we figure out how to build a 'standardized' nuclear power plant? Figure out an easily duplicated design and BUILD IT. Clean power; ask the French! 3 Mile Island was a mistake as was Chernobyl. We are one of the most high-tech countries in the world--surely we can build a new plant that is safe? Make that a priority, Mr. President; that will be a great legacy for the future of our country!