Minnesota House Upholds Nuclear Power Moratorium 72-60

After an hour of vigorous bi-partisan debate, an amendment to the Omnibus Energy policy bill to rescind Minnesota's 15 year moratorium on new nuclear power plants was voted down today on the House floor 72-60. This is a victory for those concerned with the environmental effects of nuclear power.

Proponents of the amendment cited concerns about dirty coal plant pollution, growing energy demand and climate change. Both sides of the debate discussed nuclear power "poster boy" France and the French nuclear industry in a battle of statistics. Rep. Peppin appealed to future generations' power needs, saying the amendment wasn't "a big deal." Rep. Mahoney assured members that the measure wouldn't mean a new nuclear plant would be built soon but would allow the issue on the table.

Legislators opposing the amendment urged members to stay the course of preference for energy efficiency and renewable energy sources to meet electricity needs. Rep. Kalin urged caution over security concerns of transporting nuclear waste. Energy bill author Rep. Hilty also mentioned nuclear waste concerns in his discussion about the amendment, saying President Obama has taken the Yucca Mountain federal nuclear waste repository off the table.