What the election probably means for the nuclear power industry

Because Republicans a) express concern about our economic strength, b) are concerned about military readiness and risk reduction (in some cases), and c) don't like environmentalists very much -- I think that having the Republicans take back power will be an overall net benefit for the nuclear power industry. I just don't want them to get too much power, which means I sincerely hope that they don't get the Senate. That would help put a check on the rhetoric-snarling Tea Party congresspeople who think shutting down the government to make a "statement" is a good idea.

Nonsensical, but most of their ideas are. Trouble is, now their ideas will inhabit the halls of Congress.

Republicans also want to help big business, and by helping the nuclear industry they can shore up their energy credentials by talking about, and actually doing something, about reducing our reliance on oil and gas imports. And nuclear is one of the best ways to put more electricity into the grid, to power plug-in hybrids. It's also a good way to power desalination plants, which (if you read my short item about water resources and big U.S. cities, posted next) is going to be important, too. Most of those cities are in reach of a coastal desalination plant and a pipeline; in particular, Los Angeles, Orlando, San Francisco, San Antonio, and Houston (all on the list) could get water from the ocean. The pipeline would be a little longer for Phoenix, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Tucson, and Fort Worth.