The state's on-going drought isn't yet affecting the state's nuclear power plants, but anti-nuclear groups say, the plants are worsening drought conditions.
Nuclear power plants use enormous amounts of water to cool their reactors. So far, a Southern Company official says, the company's nuclear plants are only preparing for what to do if water levels drop too low.
Sara Barczak of the antinuclear Southern Alliance for Clean Energy says the drought should remind policy-makers of the trade-offs of expanding nuclear power. "When we turn our light switch on, we're not just using electricity, we're using water," Barczak says. "I think this crisis is going to raise this issue more."
Power has become an issue in the tri-state water war. Alabama Governor Bob Riley spoke Thursday in front of a nuclear plant that he said could be shut down if water levels drop any lower.
Nuclear power plants use enormous amounts of water to cool their reactors. So far, a Southern Company official says, the company's nuclear plants are only preparing for what to do if water levels drop too low.
Sara Barczak of the antinuclear Southern Alliance for Clean Energy says the drought should remind policy-makers of the trade-offs of expanding nuclear power. "When we turn our light switch on, we're not just using electricity, we're using water," Barczak says. "I think this crisis is going to raise this issue more."
Power has become an issue in the tri-state water war. Alabama Governor Bob Riley spoke Thursday in front of a nuclear plant that he said could be shut down if water levels drop any lower.
