POWER POLITICS: Is the proposed clean energy agency a dirty deal for taxpayers and the environment?

U.S. lawmakers are considering legislation that would create a new independent federal agency to promote government investment in clean energy.

But watchdogs are raising questions about whether the way the proposed agency is structured is unfair to taxpayers and bad for the environment. Among their concerns are its bias toward nuclear power -- a critical issue for the South, which is at the center of the nuclear industry's planned revival. Full Story »

Posted by Beth Wellington
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Posted by: Posted by Beth Wellington - Jul 27, 2009 - 11:26 AM PDT
Content Type: Article
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Edited by: Beth Wellington - Jul 27, 2009 - 11:26 AM PDT
Beth Wellington
4.1
by Beth Wellington - Jul. 29, 2009

Sturgis not only writes about the proposed clean energy bill and contrasts the Senate and House versions of the bill, but provides a source comparing the price of nuclear v.s. other energy and looks at the Senate sponsor's ties to the nuclear industry. Fred Gatlin criticizes the author for bias. In thinking about it, I have lowered my evaluation of the article to "somewhat fair" because, other than news releases from the bill's sponsors in both Senate and the House touting his legislation, Sturgis does not provide an opportunity for those being criticized by the watchdogs to respond. She has a point of view and does not hide it. After all, her organization's mission is to develop "research and publication projects that directly ... More »

I find it interesting that critics of energy reform cite costs of a carbon tax, but are all for giving money to coal for unproven technology such as carbon sequestration and to coal and nuclear for coal-to-liquid and construction of new nuclear plants, in which private investors have proved unwilling to invest due--questioning their cost v.s. benefits.

See Full Review » (12 answers)
Mike LaBonte
3.5
by Mike LaBonte - Jul. 29, 2009

This story is loaded with evidence and sources, and provides links to tons of information. Unfortunately the opposing view is represented with only one short sentence and a link; quite unfair.

See Full Review » (10 answers)
Dwight Rousu
4.5
by Dwight Rousu - Jul. 31, 2009

After reading of health and insurance corporations bribing senators to kill reform in health care, this article tells of the nuclear industry corporations bribing senators to kill clean energy. The article is clear and good at exposing corrupt legislation that should arouse the public to contact their senators and representatives.

Nuclear power is an environmental Pandora's box, and can only go forward if corporations can lie to you and privatize their profits while socializing the enormous financial risks. Nuclear's carbon footprint, water footprint, and human health footprint are often ignored.

See Full Review » (13 answers)
Martha Champion
4.2
by Martha Champion - Jul. 29, 2009

This article looks at both sides and discusses pro and cons also with the underlying motives (money) to Congress.

See Full Review » (6 answers)
Fred Gatlin
2.4
by Fred Gatlin - Jul. 29, 2009

This is a biased article. When the only expert quoted is a Physicians for Social Responsibility member, this story lacks sources and has too many statements without any quote.

See Full Review » (11 answers)

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