Have you ever noticed how one sentence can significantly change the intent and result of any document?

A story in today's New York Times clearly illustrates that point:

A one-sentence provision buried in the Senate’s recently passed energy bill, inserted without debate at the urging of the nuclear power industry, could make builders of new nuclear plants eligible for tens of billions of dollars in government loan guarantees…

the provision has the potential to considerably expand the nuclear industry, which plans to build 28 new reactors at an estimated cost of about $4 billion to $5 billion apiece. And while the nuclear industry would be the biggest beneficiary, the provision could also set the stage for billions of dollars in loan guarantees for power plants that use “clean coal” technology and renewable fuels.

Of course, I love the idea of loan guarantees for power plants that use renewable fuels. But I remain unconvinced that coal will ever be "clean," just as I doubt that the crux of the nuclear debate has been addressed–how to safely deal with nuclear waste?

You really can't have your cake and eat it too.

Carbon Neutral Journal's thoughts are brought to you by Hawtin Jorgensen Architects.

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