Month: July 2011

First Major State Legislative Defeat for “Small Modular Reactors” in Iowa; Dismal Industry Showing in 2011 Follows Dismal 0-14 Combined Record for 2009 and 2010
Deep-pocketed nuclear power lobbyists may pack a big punch in Washington, D.C., but they are getting knocked out altogether at the state legislative level. So far in 2011, the nuclear power industry has a record of zero wins and six losses in Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, and Wisconsin.
The nuclear power industry’s dismal track record is in keeping with its history of state legislative failures in 2010 (when it went 0-8) and 2009 (0-6).
Sara Barczak, High Risk Energy Choices program director, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, said: “Though many utilities, lawmakers and regulatory commissioners in the Southeastern U.S. continue to blindly support building new nuclear reactors that put ratepayers at risk, the public is growing ever more skeptical of nuclear power. Given the victories to stop these anti-consumer agendas nationally, including the temporary pull back in North Carolina, the tide may be turning. The fallout from Fukushima is yet to be fully known and likely will further erode the public’s acceptance of this high cost, high risk energy option.”

While at the Sundance Film Festival I rented a 2010 Toyota Prius and felt more than comfortable and safe while driving and braking down the mountain.
Please note that this happened BEFORE the whole Toyota recall, so people shouldn’t think I am writing a bandwagon article. It has just been interesting to write it now given the recent auto recall.
My intent at the Sundance Film Festival, on a professional level, was to launch my new blog talk radio show and also start writing and video for Josh Dorfman, the Lazy Environmentalist. Instead, I almost launched myself off a mountain. Just kidding!! Seriously, I should have gotten a hotel in Park City, Utah where the festival was held so that I didn’t have to leave the mountain You don’t want to be driving around after really hanging out at the parties I saw. Here is one of the “safe” pictures.
Yes, the Car Handled Well
So what am I saying? Plus, this was a Third generation Toyota Prius or 2010 Prius. I did use those brakes like you wouldn’t believe. The vehicle handled well, kept up with slow traffic since if the vehicle accelerated in the amount of snow coming down on us. I mean it was pounding to the point where EVERYONE on the mountain highway stopped their car for a good hour. Then we drove down the rest of the mountain.