The untold story of how the energy lobby and the bush admin worked to clear a path for new reactors

[bananas]

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=ag_TpOMlk0Xw

Nuclear Utilities Redefine One Word to Bulldoze for New Plants
By Elliot Blair Smith
Sept. 25 (Bloomberg)

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The untold story of how the energy lobby and the federal government worked to clear a path for new reactors -- backed by an NRC commissioner seeking a job in the industry -- reveals one way pro-nuclear forces have stolen a march on environmentalists.

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In July, Merrifield, a 43-year-old lawyer and former Republican congressional staffer, joined the nuclear plant builder Shaw Group Inc. as a senior vice president.

<snip>

Merrifield was paid $154,600 a year at the NRC. In Shaw's industry peer group, $705,409 is the median compensation for a senior vice president, according to ERI Economic Research Institute of Redmond, Washington. Shaw spokesman Sean Clancy said any comparison would be speculative and that the company and Merrifield had no further comment.

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[phantom power]

1. There's an interesting bit of framing...

If you are pro-nuclear, you are ipso facto not an environmentalist.

[jpak]

2. Ah yes, the Nuclear Energy Institute strikes again...

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=ag_TpOMlk0Xw

<snip>

In June 2005, Constellation CEO Mayo Shattuck III hosted Bush and NRC commissioners on a tour of the existing plant, where Bush promoted the new energy legislation. The company declined to comment on whether Shattuck, who serves on the executive committee of the industry's trade group, the Nuclear Energy Institute, played a role in winning government support for a change in the construction rule.

<more>

http://neinuclearnotes.blogspot.com/

Republican shills all...