As Japan Reactors Melt Down, Obama Pimps for More Nuclear Power in U.S.

Oxymoronically including nuclear power in his "green" energy portfolio, President Barack Obama has rejected calls to freeze new atomic plant construction.

The administration maintains that nukes are consistent with its strategy to reduce the released carbon dioxide and other gases. To which critics ask: Have Obama & Co. checked the radiation releases over Japan lately?

Bizarre timing aside, the White House's push to add nuclear power plants comes with a hefty price tag. Because nuclear facilities are so costly to build -- meaning the power they produce is far from cheap -- Obama wants Congress to authorize $54 billion in new taxpayer-backed loan guarantees to commercial utility companies.

Talk about adding insult to injury.

By the way, the United States makes widespread use of the same reactors that are in crisis in Japan.

Five of the six reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi 1 site are General Electric Mark I Boiling Water Reactors, including Unit 1, which suffered an explosion that destroyed part of its containment building on Saturday.