By Diana Mathias Epoch Times Los Angeles Staff May 15, 2007

SAN CLEMENTE, CA ― KPCC's Patt Morrison hosted a program addressing nuclear power in San Clemente on Friday evening, May 4.

Interest in nuclear generation of energy has increased because of the concerns for global warming and the accumulation of carbon dioxide from the non-nuclear production of electricity.

Forum panelists covered both the pros and cons of the issue. They included: Richard Rosenblum, Vice President of Generation at the San Onofre power plant; Chuck Devore, Assemblyman from the 70th District (Newport Beach, Irvine, Tustin, Lake Forest, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Beach, Laguna Woods); Daniel Hirsch, President of the group Bridging the Gap; and, Rochelle Becker representing the Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility.

The audience included residents of the surrounding San Clemente area, employees of the San Onofre nuclear plant, and others from outlying areas such as Laguna Woods.

A number of concerns and positions were voiced by the panelists. Hirsch and Becker talked of the sheer size of the damage that would occur if there was a nuclear plant meltdown and their view that the existing plans to prevent potential problems are not adequate and are not being truthfully dealt with.

In defense of nuclear plants, Rosenblum talked of the past safety record of the nuclear industry in the United States. Rep. Devore, author of AB719 to repeal an existing law restricting nuclear generation plants, spoke about the need to support nuclear energy as an alternative to coal-generation for electricity to comply with California laws requiring a cut in greenhouse gases and a decrease in the use of coal to generate electricity.

According to Rosenblum, "One nuclear plant would reduce greenhouse emissions equivalent to 2 million cars."

Rep. Devore said the pollution from burning coal to make energy is causing known damage to the environment and our health. He underscored the environmental benefits of nuclear power by citing influential governmental officials in support of nuclear power, as a possible safer alternative, such as Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Diane Feinstein and former Vice President Al Gore.

Presenting another point of view, Hirsch termed the current situation as "Pick your poison." "Do you want to be damaged by coal-burning pollution or nuclear energy that is generating waste that will pollute future populations and that poses a security risk as well."

France was mentioned as an example of a country with extensive use of nuclear energy. About 75% of their electricity comes from nuclear plants, and the waste is reprocessed and reused, cutting down on the amount of waste requiring long-term storage. Also mentioned was the fact that new plants are being built in other states and in China, and that there are no established long-term waste storage sites for the waste from public nuclear facilities.

Towards the end of the forum, Morrison asked, "If there was any way I would feel comfortable to have nuclear energy in my neighborhood, and even if they solved the problem of safe waste storage, I would still be concerned about leaving behind nuclear waste as something so many future generations would have to deal with. There are other ways to make electricity, why would we do this?"

Rosenblum answered partially by saying, "I see more plants being built, but a big battle to get more nuclear generating facilities in California."

KPCC, Southern California Public Radio, aired the taped show on May 8, "A New Look At Nukes," and is available at www.kpcc.org

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