Obama’s pro-nuke move has no effect on Republican opposition to cap-and-trade

On February 16th, President Obama announced the granting of a provisional loan guarantee to Southern Company to help it raise the billions of dollars it needs to build two new nuclear reactors. Commentators said one of the reasons the President was coming out in support of nuclear energy was to convince Republicans to support broad cap-and-trade legislation intended to combat climate change.

Etopia News today contacted the office of Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and asked if the President’s pro-nuclear action had impacted their position against cap-and-trade.

“We still don’t support the national energy tax,” said McConnell spokesperson Don Stewart. “Is that what the Republicans call cap-and-trade?” he was asked. “Yes, that’s what it is, isn’t it?” he replied. “So you don’t support cap-and-trade even though the President has come out in support of nuclear power?” “Yes,” he said.