Marshall proposes nuclear power for bases
Jul 14 - McClatchy-Tribune
> Regional News - Thomas L. Day The Macon Telegraph, Ga.
>
> Buried deep inside the 650-page House Defense Authorization bill
> for 2010 is a line item that could bring a host of national security
> and energy issues to the forefront. The proposal would commission a
> study, due from the Pentagon by June of next year, to look at "the
> feasibility of developing nuclear power plants on military
> installations."
>
> The author of the proposal: Rep. Jim Marshall.
>
> The bill recently cleared the U.S. House of Representatives.
> The Senate debates its own authorization bill this week.
>
> While Marshall cautioned that "we're simply studying the
> possibility of using military bases," his proposal is a response to
> the military's desire to make its installations energy independent
> from local power grids.
>
> "It's important to the military that they have clean, efficient,
> secure energy," Marshall said. "And then the nice thing about military
> installations is that they can help address one of the concerns about
> nuclear energy, and that is security."
>
> Marshall, whose Georgia district encompasses Robins Air Force
> Base, is certainly aware of the political minefield that comes with
> any proposal that could build a nuclear power plant in his district.
>
> No nuclear power plants have been built in the U.S. for nearly
> three decades since the 1979 partial meltdown at the Three Mile Island
> nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania.
>
> "I know there's controversy associated with nuclear power,"
> Marshall said. "I'm prepared to tackle the controversy if need be."
>
> As Marshall is quick to point out, the U.S. Navy operates some of
> its vessels, including submarines and aircraft carriers, using nuclear
> power.
>
> To contact writer Thomas L. Day, call 744-4489.
>
>
> Regional News - Thomas L. Day The Macon Telegraph, Ga.
>
> Buried deep inside the 650-page House Defense Authorization bill
> for 2010 is a line item that could bring a host of national security
> and energy issues to the forefront. The proposal would commission a
> study, due from the Pentagon by June of next year, to look at "the
> feasibility of developing nuclear power plants on military
> installations."
>
> The author of the proposal: Rep. Jim Marshall.
>
> The bill recently cleared the U.S. House of Representatives.
> The Senate debates its own authorization bill this week.
>
> While Marshall cautioned that "we're simply studying the
> possibility of using military bases," his proposal is a response to
> the military's desire to make its installations energy independent
> from local power grids.
>
> "It's important to the military that they have clean, efficient,
> secure energy," Marshall said. "And then the nice thing about military
> installations is that they can help address one of the concerns about
> nuclear energy, and that is security."
>
> Marshall, whose Georgia district encompasses Robins Air Force
> Base, is certainly aware of the political minefield that comes with
> any proposal that could build a nuclear power plant in his district.
>
> No nuclear power plants have been built in the U.S. for nearly
> three decades since the 1979 partial meltdown at the Three Mile Island
> nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania.
>
> "I know there's controversy associated with nuclear power,"
> Marshall said. "I'm prepared to tackle the controversy if need be."
>
> As Marshall is quick to point out, the U.S. Navy operates some of
> its vessels, including submarines and aircraft carriers, using nuclear
> power.
>
> To contact writer Thomas L. Day, call 744-4489.
>
>