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Former Environmentalist Pushes Nuclear Power

Montpelier, Vermont - January 30, 2007

A former member of Greenpeace was in Montpelier Tuesday to promote nuclear energy. Dr. Patrick Moore told lawmakers that nuclear power will help reduce climate change problems because nuclear plants do not emit greenhouse gasses.

Moore helped found Greenpeace, but he left in the 1980's because he thought the group was becoming too extreme. Moore is now part of a coalition that supports nuclear power. He argues any realistic plan to reduce fossil fuels needs to include more nuclear energy-- like the Vermont Yankee Nuclear plant in Vernon.

"Renewable energy like hydro and nuclear energy like Vermont Yankee is producing-- both can play an extremely important role in reducing our CO2 emissions, greenhouse gas and the threat of climate change. So I think people in Vermont should be aware of that and realize that the way forward is more renewables and more nuclear, not less," says Patrick Moore.

"I think Patrick Moore and the nuclear industry are here in the statehouse saying, 'Look over here, we're greenhouse gas free,' but what they are ignoring is that over here there are a 100 million pounds of nuclear waste-- and thankfully our lawmakers have to take into account all the choices that we make," says James Moore of the Vt. Public Interest Research Group.

Environmental groups also charge that Patrick Moore is now paid by the nuclear industry.

This debate comes as the legislature and state looks at extending Vermont Yankee's operating license for 20 years.

Kristin Carlson - Channel 3 News