45 new nuke reactors by 2030: McCain

Favouring nuclear energy to meet the future energy demands, Republican presidential nominee John McCain has said that he wants 45 new nuke reactors built in the United States by 2030.

"If I am elected president, I will set this nation on a course to building 45 new reactors by the year 2030, with the ultimate goal of 100 new plants to power the homes and factories and cities of America. This task will be as difficult as it is necessary," McCain said at Arlington, Virginia.

Citing the examples of India and China, which are rapidly turning to nuclear power to fulfill their increasing fuel requirements, the Arizona senator said that the US too need to find new sources of power and a "national campaign should be started achieve the energy security for America."

"China, Russia, and India are all planning to build more than a hundred new power plants among them in the coming decades," McCain said.

"Across Europe there are 197 reactors in operation, and nations including France and Belgium derive more than half their electricity from nuclear power. And if all of these nations can find a way to carry out great goals in energy policy, then I assure you that the United States is more than equal to the challenge" he contended.

Echoing the views of President George W Bush on the energy challenges and alternatives for America, the Arizona senator said "It's pretty clear to most of us that when it comes to energy, what we really need is to produce more, use less, and find new sources of power.

"The next president must be willing to break with the energy policies not just of the current administration, but the administrations that preceded it."