John McCain: Put a Nuclear power plant In My Back Yard:
Arizona Sen. John McCain said the U.S. should fast track construction of nuclear power plants.
The Republican presidential candidate said Wednesday the U.S. should follow the lead of France, which relies heavily on nuclear power, building plants in five years instead of the 15-year or more years it now takes in the U.S.
McCain argues that more nuclear power as well as more domestic oil drilling and development of new energy sources will help the U.S. reduce dependency on foreign oil. Democratic rival Barack Obama has voiced some openness to more nuclear plants.
McCain also says Arizona should house a second nuclear plant. The state is home to the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station west of Phoenix.
The Sierra Club criticized McCain’s stand on increasing offshore-drilling and pro-nuclear energy stance as benefitting the energy sector. The environmental group is backing Obama, who opposes off-shore drilling and wants to raise taxes on oil companies.