Speaking of crazies, we never could understand why climate change alarmists oppose nuclear power – which emits no greenhouse gases.
Now the anti-nukes tide may be turning.
Last Friday, California Governor Gavin Newsom indicated he may support keeping Diablo Canyon, the state’s last remaining nuclear power plant, open beyond its scheduled shutdown – a remarkable reversal and capitulation to a six-year campaign to save the plant by his gubernatorial rival Michael Shellenberger.
“The Governor is in support of keeping all options on the table to ensure we have a reliable (electricity) grid,” spokeswoman Erin Mellon said. “This includes considering an extension to Diablo Canyon.”
Way to go with the science: Stanford and MIT studies have shown that delaying Diablo Canyon’s retirement to 2035 would save California $2.6 billion, reduce the chances of brownouts and lower carbon emissions.
Even the Biden administration is changing its tune.
“U.S. nuclear power plants contribute more than half of our carbon-free electricity, and President Biden is committed to keeping these plants active to reach our clean energy goals,” Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said last week. She announced a $6 billion effort to rescue nuclear power plants at risk of closing.
She better hurry. The owners of seven currently operating reactors have already announced plans to shut down by 2025.