NRC chairman sees "an exuberance" about rebound of nukes

Dale Klein, who has been chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission since 2006, said during a visit to Florida this week that there is "an exuberance" about the rebound of interest in nuclear energy. He predicted that no matter who wins the presidential election, nukes are going to be used as a tool in battling global warming.

"No matter who comes in, the cold, hard facts of increasing demand and limited options is going to result in nuclear power staying at the forefront," Klein, whose term as chairman runs until 2011, told the St. Petersburg Times.

The rebound is particularly visible in Florida, where four new nuke plants have been proposed, and where Gov. Charlie Crist is advocating the new nuke plants as part of his climate change crusade.

"Your demand is growing, people are still moving to Florida, and they like to run the air conditioning in the summer," Klein said.

--Asjylyn Loder