Green Candidates Slam Bill to Lift Nuclear Moratorium

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 19, 2008

GREEN CANDIDATES SLAM BILL TO LIFT NUCLEAR MORATORIUM

CONTACT:
Patrick Kelly
ILGP Media Coordinator
773-203-9631
media@ilgp.org

Phil Huckelberry
Chair, ILGP Government & Elections Committee
309-268-9974
phil.huckelberry@ilgp.org

Green Party legislative candidates from across the state have joined
to criticize the under-the-radar attempt in the General Assembly to
lift the 20 year-old moratorium on the construction of new nuclear
facilities in Illinois.  The proposed legislation, House Bill 2971, is
a "shell bill" with a pending amendment that would remove language in
Illinois law which says that new nuclear plants can not be built until
a solution for storing tons of radioactive waste is found.

"We need less nuclear power in Illinois, not more," said Jeremy
Karpen, Green candidate for 39th State Representative (Logan Square
area in Chicago).  "Nuclear generation is more expensive per
kilowatt-hour than wind.  It's bad for the environment, bad for
consumers, and bad for taxpayers.  Just last year the General Assembly
passed renewal portfolio standards for energy production.  Why
undermine that now?"

"Haven't we learned yet from the Braidwood plant which leaked and
contaminated the groundwater?" asks Charlie Howe, Green candidate for
115th State Representative (Carbondale area).  "Let's face it, folks.
There is no safe place on earth to discard the byproducts of nuclear
energy.  The moratorium acknowledges this.  Why would anyone try to
end it?"

"Carbon-Free and Nuclear-Free by 2050: that should be what we're
striving for," said Ante "Tony" Marijan, Green candidate for 2nd State
Representative (Pilsen – Little Village area of Chicago).  "We need to
support public transportation and help people lower their overall
energy consumption, not roll the clock back 30 years."  Marijan's
opponent, Eddie Acevedo, is a co-sponsor of the legislation.