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Travis Martinez, University of New Mexico - Talk Radio News Service

U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) wants to see 100 new nuclear power plants built within the next 20 years. Alexander spoke to 200 conservationists today at a forum hosted by conservative think tank Resources For The Future.

“I believe that what Americans should most fear about nuclear power is [that] the rest of world will use it to create low-cost, carbon-free electricity while [America], who invented the technology, will not,” said Alexander. “Within twenty years a new energy sprawl will consume an area larger than that of Nebraska... The unintended consequences from using renewable energy to mitigate climate change could damage the environment in the name of saving the environment.”

The United States has not built a nuclear power plant since 1990. Alexander said that future climate legislation should include details on optimum nuclear power plant site utilization and resources for low-carbon or carbon-free energy production.

Alexander said he does not have legislation prepared, but is asking for someone to take charge. “Two words: Presidential leadership. The president went to New York, to the UN climate change summit where he lectured other countries for not doing enough, when [other countries] are building nuclear power plants, when the U.S. hasn't built one in thirty years,” he said.