Forty activists representing several Midwestern states met at the Midwest Renewable Energy Fair in Custer, WI on June 20 to exchange information, share experiences, and brainstorm on ideas for promoting a Carbon Free Nuclear Free energy policy that doesn’t rely on either fossil fuel or nukes. 

Two hundred environmental, peace, consumer, religious organizations and small businesses -- including WNPJ and eight other Wisconsin groups -- have joined together to blast the newly introduced Kerry-Lieberman “climate” bill, called the American Power Act, as a taxpayer bailout of the nuclear power industry and other dirty energy interests that would be ineffective at addressing the climate crisis. The groups pledged to oppose the bill unless substantial changes are made, including removing all support for nuclear power.

As the Clean Energy Jobs Act heads towards votes in the state Assembly Tuesday and possible Senate votes Thursday, more people are raising questions about the many trade-offs in the bill.

State Senator Kathleen Vinehout writes in the La Crosse Tribune about her concerns with the bill, including its pro-nuclear provisions:

"I share concerns with others that we must precede with care down the path of nuclear power. Residents of many states have seen large rate increases after such plants were built and construction cost over-runs were passed on to rate payers."

"And we still do not have a plan for the permanent disposal of radioactive spent fuel rods."