Gov. Rick Perry is calling for doubling the number of nuclear reactors in Texas. Luminant, formerly TXU Corp., in proposing two new reactors at its Comanche Peak nuclear plant southwest of Dallas. Exelon Corp. wants to add two reactors in Victoria County in Southeast Texas.

Both the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) say a surge toward nuclear to meet the country's energy needs and curb global warming is unwise. Clean Water Action agrees.

Nuclear power is not the answer to global warming:

• The Union of Concerned Scientists cautions "a large-scale expansion of nuclear power in the United States or worldwide, under existing conditions, would be accompanied by an increased risk of catastrophic events – a risk not associated with any of the non-nuclear means for reducing global warming."
• New nuclear plants could not make a substantial contribution to reducing U. S. global warming emissions for at least Nuclear power plants also use large quantities of water for cooling with proposed new reactors needing to withdraw more than 1,140,000 gallons of water per minute from nearby lakes, rivers or oceans.
• Nuclear plants also imperil fish larvae and other forms of aquatic life, which are strained from the water as it travels through thousands of metal tubes to become steam that turns the turbines to make electricity.

Perhaps the biggest single problem with nuclear power is the disposal of its radioactive waste. Once created, this highly toxic waste persists for hundreds of thousands of years - longer than any human civilization has existed. Yucca Mountain, the only site seriously being considered for long-term storage of nuclear waste in this country, is opposed by all five Nevada members of Congress.

Nor is nuclear energy inexpensive, as its defenders claim. Without guarantees of lavish federal subsidies underwritten by our tax dollars, no new nuclear plant could be built. With both wind and solar continuing to drop in price, nuclear plants are likely to be obsolete and uncompetitive as soon as they are operational.

Take Action: Write a letter to Governor Rick Perry, your State Representative and your State Senator urging them to oppose new nuclear plants in Texas!