After eight years of environmental rollbacks under former Republican Governor Chris Christie, recently-elected Democratic Governor Phil Murphy is embracing greener policies. Mr. Murphy has signed bills to promote offshore wind and higher renewable portfolio standards for power companies and rejoined the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). But probably his most controversial measure commits New Jersey ratepayers to spending $300 million a year to keep two aging nuclear power plants alive. The debate over nuclear energy in New Jersey centers on whether to support existing nuclear power plants or shut them down, says David Roberts, a reporter for Vox who covers environmental issues. Among environmentalists, Roberts explains, those who believe fighting climate change is the primary goal want to keep nuclear power plants online, since they are relatively low carbon, compared to fossil fuels. On the other side are those who oppose the radioactive waste and, oftentimes, the corruption that comes along with nuclear power.
PRI 24th June 2018 read more »
