Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) said on Wednesday evening at CNN’s town hall for Democrats on climate issues that she would oppose building any new nuclear plants in America — and instead would work to phase out existing nuclear power from the energy mix.
“The problem is it’s got a lot of risks associated with it, particularly the risks associated with the spent fuel rods,” the 2020 Democratic candidate said. “In my administration, we are not going to build any new nuclear power plants.”
This is diametrically opposed to the platform, for example, of her fellow 2020 Democratic candidate Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) — who told the same audience on Wednesday night that he’s fully behind “new nuclear” as a way forward in this country.
Said Warren, however, “We will start weaning ourselves off nuclear and replace it with renewables.”
Prior to these statements, Warren had not taken a position on nuclear power in any of her various climate change plans, as the Washington Examiner noted — including in a new proposal she issued earlier on Wednesday that would require utilities to achieve 100 percent carbon-neutral power by 2030 and reaching all-renewable electricity generation by 2035.
Most of those running for a White House shot recognize that nuclear power right now provides more than half of the nation’s zero-carbon electricity.
Related: Cory Booker Puts Forward Pricey Proposal for ‘Environmental Justice Fund’
However, Warren and others who oppose a nuclear path — such as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) — cite concerns about the perils of storing nuclear waste and the high cost of building new plants.
“It’s unclear if Warren’s opposition to nuclear power includes smaller advanced reactors that are being developed, but not yet commercialized, for greater safety and easier construction than today’s massive plants,” the Examiner pointed out.
Warren made other news, though, on Wednesday night and earlier this week as well.
See the details and reaction in the tweets below:
In seven seconds, Elizabeth Warren says she wants government regulation on:
– Lightbulbs
– Straws
– CheeseburgersThis CNN townhall is an absolute gift to Trump’s 2020 re-election:
— Benny (@bennyjohnson) September 5, 2019
Sen. Elizabeth Warren: "By 2028, we don't have any more new building that has any carbon footprint. By 2030, we do the same thing on vehicles, on our cars and light duty trucks. And by 2035, we do the same thing with electric generation. That'll cut 70% of the carbon." pic.twitter.com/fkaDq2dAOc
— The Hill (@thehill) September 5, 2019
Elizabeth Warren says she will oppose nuclear energy as a way to combat climate change should she be elected president in 2020 pic.twitter.com/USMLlx0EGO
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) September 5, 2019
Elizabeth Warren says she supports a carbon tax, which would increase gas prices, the cost of household goods, and monthly energy bills.
Democrats are fighting for the radical left – they aren't fighting for middle-class families. pic.twitter.com/AZxZvqJWPN
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) September 5, 2019
Elizabeth Warren says it's "obscene" to profit off of students
Really?
Cost of one Warren-authored textbook—$258.97
Cost of one Warren-co-authored textbook—$126.78
Cost of one Warren-authored supplemental chapter—$60
Cost of Elizabeth Warren's one-year salary—$430,000
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) September 3, 2019
"They want to be able to stir up a lot of controversy around your lightbulbs, around your straws and around your cheeseburgers.”
Sen. Elizabeth Warren says fossil fuel companies are trying to distract from their impact on climate.#ClimateTownHallhttps://t.co/DKVca3W1oD pic.twitter.com/GGBJLYW0zr
— CNN (@CNN) September 5, 2019
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