Renewable Energy: In the U.S. a Debate, in France a Commitment
One thing I like about the French is the fiercely independent stances they take on important matters. They tend not to ask permission, but rather to use their own wits and take tough positions on key matters.
As one might expect, energy policy a perfect example of this characteristic in action. I don’t recall the French soliciting world opinion when they went big with nuclear in the 20th Century. And here they are, making long-term policies on renewables that will act as firm commitments, enabling everyone: investors, developers, and private citizens to be a part of a plan that will span decades, and ultimately take France to what I have long predicted will be a position of world leadership in this space.
The fact that the U.S. doesn’t have an energy policy is disgusting. Big Energy owns our Congress, and thus we can expect an indefinite continuation of the status quo: a playing field that favors fossil fuels, with an ongoing sprinkling of confusing, on-again/off-again legislation to bring waves of intermittent hope and despair to clean energy. It’s revolting.
In the meanwhile, France boldly and confidently charts its course of commitment and responsibility.
Now, if I could just get those Parisians to treat me a bit better, I’d be a true Francophile.
In all likelihood, within a few years France will recommit to nuclear power when the problems associated with wind and solar become inescapably obvious. However, I hope that they will phase out pressurized water reactors mainly because they use less that 1% of the energy available in the fuel. Also, the need to have the reactor in a vessel that is pressurized to 2500 PSI greatly increases costs and although a failure may not endanger the public, it would be very expensive for the investors. It makes no sense to use such an inefficient nuclear technology when there are better alternatives.