Nuclear power groups give $5.8 million to candidates

Thursday, May 22, 2003 | 9:06 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- The nuclear power industry continues to fill the pockets of congressional lawmakers with campaign money, a watchdog group said.

Political action committees for nuclear utilities gave more than $5.8 million to the House and Senate in the 2002 election cycle, according to a report released this week by Public Citizen. About $3.8 million of that went to Republican candidates, although the top nuclear money recipients in the House and Senate were Democrats -- Rep. John Dingell of Michigan and Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana.

Public Citizen noted that the contributions have been rolling in since 2001, when President Bush unveiled an energy policy that includes subsidies, tax breaks and other programs for nuclear utility companies.

Democrats and Republicans have been trying to negotiate differences over a comprehensive national energy plan since last year. Fifteen of the top 20 recipients of nuclear industry money sit on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has played a key role in drafting much of the energy legislation.

"Rather than pandering to the interests of nuclear industry executives, lawmakers should reject this energy bill and instead work toward a forward-looking policy that promotes safe, clean and affordable energy," Public Citizen spokeswoman Wenonah Hauter said.

Public Citizen and other groups have long been critical of the nuclear industry's expensive lobbying campaign for the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository, which Congress approved last year.

Nuclear industry groups have said they have as much right as any other special interest in Washington to contribute to political campaigns.