If only things in the world of clean energy were cut and dry. Unfortunately they are not.

Here is a paradox for you. America has access to an unlimited amount of energy that can be generated without the use of fossil fuels and without emissions that harm the environment. Sound good right. Oh and this energy source can generate electricity at a really low cost. Even better. So what’s the catch?

I’m talking about nuclear energy. But there are two sides to the story. You should also know that there is a down side to nuclear energy. Nuclear plants contain radioactive material. And that in itself scares people. A nuclear plant accident could jeopardize many lives. So it is very hard to get a nuclear plant sighted anywhere near a populated area. Nuclear plants also risk being targets for bad guys. Another reason why people are wary of tapping the nuclear resource. And its true that we have to figure out what to do with the spent nuclear fuel.

There is an attractive up side to nuclear. And there is a disturbing down side. Does one cancel out the other? Maybe so.

The nuclear experience in the United States has had some problems in the past, most notably the Three Mile Island incident. No deaths occurred as a result of the incident but everyone sure got a scare. Thankfully, nuclear power has had a very good track record in the United States since that incident. But we also have endured a marked decrease in the use of nuclear power to generate electricity just the same.

Now with oil where it is (around $89 today) and a major conference on climate change occurring in Bali, people are thinking about nuclear energy again. Some are thinking positively and others negatively. But think about it we must because nuclear power is a source of clean energy that will reduce our need to consume imported fossil fuels.

Once a pariah in the world of electricity generation, nuclear is making a comeback. Even Dr. Patrick Moore, the founder of Greenpeace believes in nuclear energy as a clean energy resource. And while there are still many nuclear naysayers there is also a growing cadre of supporters.

Is major investment in nuclear energy the right thing to do for the United States? I think so. It is worth noting that the country of France gets about 70% of their electricity from nuclear power. Last time I saw a picture on TV (I have been to Paris once) there were no electric croissants bouncing down the Champs Elysees. In the U.S. about 20% of our electricity is generated from nuclear sources. With a country as large as the U.S. we can stand to increase our nuclear capacity.

Questions must be answered though. Safety in construction and ongoing maintenance should be of tantamount importance. Proper handling of nuclear fuel must be a top priority. Education for legislators, business people and the general public is critical.

Today the Governor of New York along with the Attorney General and other state legislators have asked a variety of questions of the people who operate the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant in Buchanan, NY. There is generally wide opposition from the Spitzer administration with respect to the relicensing of the plant under current conditions.  The position is not one against nuclear power, rather this is a position against the current state of the plant. This is evidenced by the statement that, “…we should close Indian Point as soon as there is sufficient replacement power available, and in the interim we will continue to insist that all environmental, safety and security issues are fully evaluated and addressed, in order to protect the health and safety of the communities surrounding the plant.”

Much of the rhetoric in the mainstream press is likely to be focused on efforts to shut the plant down, thereby injecting unnecessary static into the debate. Its a shame because the comments of the administration are obviously not a demand to shut down the plant. Rather, they are the right of a government to make inquiries to ensure that citizens are protected. The question of whether or not to continue operation of Indian Point is up to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

The question of nuclear power is a murky one. There are not cut and dry answers. The one thing that is clear is that we must not dismiss nuclear as an option out of hand. This clean energy source is but one of a suite of technologies that we can use to power the clean energy future. Ah, but nuclear is an incredibly powerful and reliable resource. And that’s why all parties should continue the discussion and pledge to honestly support a position that leads our country to a safe, reliable and prosperous clean energy future.