Four thousand megawatts of hydroelectric power could be made available in the next five years by completing the Auburn Dam, increasing the capacity of the Shasta Dam and upgrading a variety of existing facilities. During that period, nuclear technology has taken quantum leaps that have dramatically decreased costs and increased safety and reliability. Today, nuclear power can boast the safest operating record of any competitive power source in the history of the world. Nuclear power completely eliminates the chronic air pollution associated with electricity generation. In 1999, California's two nuclear plants prevented the release of 181,000 tons of sulfur dioxide and 7.7 million metric tons of carbon particulates that would have been produced by fossil fuel plants.
Nuclear plants create a fraction of the waste of conventional power plants.
California's public officials will hear none of this, of course. Sen. Tom McClintock represents the 19th State Senate District in the California Legislature. Search our online archive, or browse past editions. All rights reserved. Direct questions and problems to the webmaster .