Loehr-Velasquez Aff

UMKC ROUND 1

Contention 1: Inherency

Nuclear power and the spin-offs are inevitable – it’s only a question of government involvement.

Arizona State Law Journal, 9 
~[Anonymous, Choosing the Nuclear Option: The Case for a Strong Regulatory Response to Encourage Nuclear Energy Development, Spring 2009, L/N~]
Although these events are significant, this Comment’s thesis remains. If anything, the
AND
lowering nuclear power licensing costs would be two important steps to that end.

Global nuclear tech is resurging – status quo policies mean the US is left in the dust.

Madian, 11
~[Alan, an economist and management consultant and has held senior executive positions in investment banking. He has spent much of the past fifteen years as a principal advisor to CEOs of nuclear utilities for nuclear plant refurbishment and new construction planning and implementation, Prospects for a Nuclear Revival in the United States, Brattle Group Discussion Paper, 2-2011, http://www.brattle.com/_documents/UploadLibrary/Upload921.pdf-http://www.brattle.com/_documents/UploadLibrary/Upload921.pdf~]
If construction of new nuclear power plants were a contest with the score based on
AND
countries, new construction in nine countries, and restarted construction in eight.

Contention 2: Warming

Warming is real and human induced – drastic emissions reductions are key to avoid dangerous climate disruptions

Somerville 11 – Professor of Oceanography @ UCSD
Richard Somerville, Distinguished Professor Emeritus and Research Professor at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego, Coordinating Lead Author in Working Group I for the 2007 Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 3-8-2011, "CLIMATE SCIENCE AND EPA’S GREENHOUSE GAS REGULATIONS," CQ Congressional Testimony, Lexis
1n early 2007, at the time of the publication of WG1 of AR4,
AND
next five to ten years, reaching near zero well within this century.
Warming is not inevitable – even if we are past the tipping level the process can be reversed.
Dyer 9
Gwynne, MA in Military History and PhD in Middle Eastern History former  @ Senior Lecturer-C:wikiSenior_Lecturer in War Studies at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst-C:wikiRoyal_Military_Academy_Sandhurst, Climate Wars
There is no need to despair. The slow-feedback effects take a long
AND
so let us focus here on how to stop it rising past 450. 

CO2 is the cause.

Kirkevag et al ’08 ~[Alf, Trond Iversen, Jon Kristjansson, Ovyind Seld, %26 Jens Boldingh, Professor of Geosciences at University of Oslo, Feb 11, "On the additivity of climate response to anthropogenic aerosols and CO 2 , and the enhancement of future global warming by carbonaceous aerosols," online~]
When CO 2 concentrations are doubled and aerosol emissions are kept constant at natural levels
AND
leads to a slight increase in the lifetime and burden of anthropogenic aerosols.

Positive feedbacks outweigh negative feedbacks.

Houghton ’05 ~[John, Co-Chair of IPCC %26 Professor in Atmospheric Physics at Oxford,
http://www.iop.org/EJ/article/0034-4885/68/6/R02/rpp5_6_R02.pdf?request-id=1c900945-f246-42ec-a806-e63190d24817~~]
This increasedCO2 is leading to global warming of the Earth’s surface through its enhanced greenhouse
AND
will illustrate, for the global average temperature this is a large change.

Left unchecked, warming will cause extinction
Sify ’10 – Sydney newspaper citing Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, professor at University of Queensland and Director of the Global Change Institute, and John Bruno, associate professor of Marine Science at UNC (Sify News, "Could unbridled climate changes lead to human extinction?", http://www.sify.com/news/could-unbridled-climate-changes-lead-to-human-extinction-news-international-kgtrOhdaahc.html, WEA)
The findings of the comprehensive report: ’The impact of climate change on the world’s
AND
marine ecosystems function,’ Bruno warned, according to a GCI release.
Warming outweighs nuclear war.
Deibel ’7 ~[Terry L. Deibel, professor of IR @ National War College, 2007, Foreign Affairs Strategy, Conclusion: American Foreign Affairs Strategy Today~]
Droughts, floods, and violent storms Consensus Disease and Illness 26% of GDP
AND
States, but potentially to the continued existence of life on this planet.

Only nuclear can provide sustained clean energy for the future – other renewables will peak and fossil fuels will run out.
Dr. Najmedin Meshkati, Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering Civil/Environmental Engineering at USC, Thomas Butler Doctoral Student in Human Factors at USC, and Kendall Pelling Undergraduate Research Fellow at USC, Chapter 6 "Nuclear Safety Culture and Electric Deregulation: Challenges and Potentials" 2001 JL
Generating energy by burning nonrenewable fossil fuels including oil, gas, and coal is
AND
use more electricity and increase the need for safe and clean nuclear energy. 

Contention 3: Leadership

US nuclear leadership is in demise locking-out US influence in emerging safety and non-proliferation – federal action is vital to restore US influence. 
Wallace %26 Williams, 12
~[Michael %26 Sarah, a member of the National Infrastructure Advisory Council (NIAC), which advises the president on matters related to homeland security. He is also a member of the Nuclear Sector Coordinating Council under the Department of Homeland Security’s National Infrastructure Protection Plan and a member of Business Executives for National Security (BENS), the Naval Historical Foundation Advisory Council, and the Marquette University College of Engineering National Advisory Council, Nuclear Energy in America: Preventing its Early Demise, 2012, Global Forecast, April 17, 2012, http://csis.org/publication/nuclear-energy-america-preventing-its-early-demise-http://csis.org/publication/nuclear-energy-america-preventing-its-early-demise~]
America’s nuclear energy industry is in decline. Low natural gas prices, financing hurdles
AND
.S. nuclear industry and take action to prevent its early demise.

Civil nuclear leadership catalyzes nuclear non-proliferation – EVEN IF – US remains a hegemon nuclear power leadership is key.

Begelsdorf, 7 
~[Harold, Principal with the consulting firm of Bengelsdorf, McGoldrick, and Associates, held numerous senior positions in the U.S. government, including the Energy Department and its predecessor agencies, the State Department, and the U.S. Mission to the IAEA, American Council on Global Nuclear Competitiveness, THE U.S. DOMESTIC CIVIL NUCLEAR INFRASTRUCTURE AND U.S. NONPROLIFERATION POLICY, May 2007, White Paper, http://www.nuclearcompetitiveness.org/images/COUNCIL_WHITE_PAPER_Final.pdf~~]
If the United States hopes to continue to exercise strong and specific influence internationally in
AND
nonproliferation objectives must go hand in hand and can be made mutually reinforcing. 

Prolif will trigger preemptive nuclear wars around the planet
Utgoff ’2, Deputy Director of Strategy, Forces, and Resources Division of Institute for Defense Analysis
~[Victor A., "Proliferation, Missile Defence and American Ambitions," Survival, Summer, p. 87-90~]
Further, the large number of states that became capable of building nuclear weapons over
AND
members of a sheriff’s posse, even in the face of nuclear threats. 

Vibrant domestic industrial base key to influence over global safety.

Domenici %26 Miller, 12
~[Pete %26 Warren, private consultant and a part time Research Professor at Texas A %26 M University, Maintaining U.S. Leadership in Global Nuclear Energy Markets, Energy and Infrastructure Program, Energy Project, July, 2012, http://bipartisanpolicy.org/sites/default/files/Leadership%20in%20Nuclear%20Energy%20Markets.pdf-http://bipartisanpolicy.org/sites/default/files/Leadership in Nuclear Energy Markets.pdf~]
Nuclear power technologies are distinct from other potential exports in energy or in other sectors
AND
have to develop effective spent fuel management and disposal capabilities of their own. 

Only US SMRs have a closed fuel cycle resolving waste and storage issues.

US department of Commerce, 11
~[The Commercial Outlook for U.S. Small Modular Nuclear Reactors, US Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, Manufacturing and Services Competitiveness Report, 2-2011, http://trade.gov/mas/ian/build/groups/public/@tg_ian/@nuclear/documents/webcontent/tg_ian_003185.pdf-http://trade.gov/mas/ian/build/groups/public/@tg_ian/@nuclear/documents/webcontent/tg_ian_003185.pdf~]
Another potential long-term strength of SMRs is that some designs could also support
AND
such designs are unlikely to be deployed in the near or mid term. 

That’s key to global safety modeling.

Begelsdorf, 7 
~[Harold, Principal with the consulting firm of Bengelsdorf, McGoldrick, and Associates, held numerous senior positions in the U.S. government, including the Energy Department and its predecessor agencies, the State Department, and the U.S. Mission to the IAEA, American Council on Global Nuclear Competitiveness, THE U.S. DOMESTIC CIVIL NUCLEAR INFRASTRUCTURE AND U.S. NONPROLIFERATION POLICY, May 2007, White Paper, http://www.nuclearcompetitiveness.org/images/COUNCIL_WHITE_PAPER_Final.pdf~~]
In this connection, one the of the most severe challenges facing the nonproliferation regime
AND
initiatives designed to discourage the spread of sensitive nuclear facilities to other countries.

Exporting safe nuclear technology is key to international modeling of US safety standards

ANS 12
(The American Nuclear Society is a professional membership organization of engineers and scientists devoted to the applications of nuclear science and technology. "ANS adopts position statement on U.S. global nuclear leadership through export-driven engagement". July 2, 2012. http://ansnuclearcafe.org/2012/07/02/global-nuclear-leadership/-http://ansnuclearcafe.org/2012/07/02/global-nuclear-leadership/)

ANS believes the U.S. should remain committed to facilitating an expansion of
AND
and responsive to the needs of  the U.S. nuclear industry.

International modeling is directly connected to US domestic nuclear energy policy – plan is key to ensuring good modeling

Sagan 11
(Scott D. Sagan, Center for International Security and Cooperation Stanford University. "The International Security Implications Of U.S. Domestic Nuclear Power Decisions". April 18, 2011. http://cybercemetery.unt.edu/archive/brc/20120621005012/http://brc.gov/sites/default/files/documents/sagan_brc_paper_final.pdf-http://cybercemetery.unt.edu/archive/brc/20120621005012/http:/brc.gov/sites/default/files/documents/sagan_brc_paper_final.pdf)

The United States makes decisions regarding the domestic uses of nuclear energy and the nuclear
AND
actions that would better promote our broader global nonproliferation and nuclear security interests.
Reactor meltdowns cause extinction
Gonçalves, 2001 (Eduardo, environmental researcher, author of the reports Broken Arrow - Greenham Common’s Secret Nuclear Accident and Nuclear Guinea Pigs - British Human Radiation Experiments, published by CNL) (UK), "The Secret Nuclear War," Ecologist, April)
But could radiation really be to blame for these deaths? Are the health costs
AND
, an act which requires a new word to describe it: omnicide.

Acting now gives the US a seat at the table- delaying development could lock US out of the market – federal procurement is key.

Freed, Horwitz %26 Eschow, 10
~[Josh, Elizabeth %26 Jeremy, Director of the Third Way Clean Energy Program, Thinking Small On Nuclear Power, Third Way: Nuclear Energy, 9, 2010, http://content.thirdway.org/publications/340/Third_Way_Idea_Brief_-_Thinking_Small_On_Nuclear_Power.pdf-http://content.thirdway.org/publications/340/Third_Way_Idea_Brief_-_Thinking_Small_On_Nuclear_Power.pdf~]
Getting small reactors deployed quickly is a national imperative. Our energy needs demand it
AND
to create first markets and help drive down costs of first mover technologies. 

Contention 4: Solvency

Federal aggregation and procurement of SMR power creates a competitive market and fosters expansion.

Rosner %26 Goldberg, 11
~[Robert %26 Stephen, Energy Policy Institute at Chicago The Harris School of Public Policy Studies, Energy Policy, William Wrather Distinguished Service Professor in Astronomy %26 Astrophysics, Institute at Chicago, 11-11-2011, https://epic.sites.uchicago.edu/sites/epic.uchicago.edu/files/uploads/EPICSMRWhitePaperFinalcopy.pdf-https://epic.sites.uchicago.edu/sites/epic.uchicago.edu/files/uploads/EPICSMRWhitePaperFinalcopy.pdf~]
6.2 GOVERNMENT SPONSORSHIP OF MARKET TRANSFORMATION INCENTIVES Similar to other important energy technologies
AND
, can surmount these challenges and provide critical initial markets for SMR plants. 

Plan builds economies of scale, spills over to the private sector and avoids links to politics.

Parenti, 10 
~[Christian, The Big Green Buy: How Government’s Purchasing Power Can Drive the Clean-Energy Revolution, Huffington Post, July 16, 2010, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christian-parenti/the-big-green-buy-how-gov_b_648865.html-http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christian-parenti/the-big-green-buy-how-gov_b_648865.html~]
An overemphasis on breakthrough inventions can obscure the fact that most of the energy technologies
AND
market mover that has already shown it can leverage money-saving deals.

Focus on SMR rebuilds credit for nuclear energy. 
Rosner %26 Goldberg, 11
~[Robert %26 Stephen, Energy Policy Institute at Chicago The Harris School of Public Policy Studies, Energy Policy, William Wrather Distinguished Service Professor in Astronomy %26 Astrophysics, Institute at Chicago, 11-11-2011, https://epic.sites.uchicago.edu/sites/epic.uchicago.edu/files/uploads/EPICSMRWhitePaperFinalcopy.pdf-https://epic.sites.uchicago.edu/sites/epic.uchicago.edu/files/uploads/EPICSMRWhitePaperFinalcopy.pdf~]
According to a recent study issued by the Texas Institute, the historical record of
AND
the investment requirements are comparable – SMRs could potentially "fit the bill." 

Sustainable SMR industry in the US is key to global leadership in nuclear power and reducing carbon emission – the plan doesn’t trade-off renewable.

Rosner %26 Goldberg, 11
~[Robert %26 Stephen, Energy Policy Institute at Chicago The Harris School of Public Policy Studies, Energy Policy, William Wrather Distinguished Service Professor in Astronomy %26 Astrophysics, Institute at Chicago, 11-11-2011, https://epic.sites.uchicago.edu/sites/epic.uchicago.edu/files/uploads/EPICSMRWhitePaperFinalcopy.pdf-https://epic.sites.uchicago.edu/sites/epic.uchicago.edu/files/uploads/EPICSMRWhitePaperFinalcopy.pdf~]
As stated earlier, SMRs have the potential to achieve significant greenhouse gas emission reductions
AND
Japan, Korea, Russia, and, now rapidly emerging, China.

UMKC ROUND 2

Contention 1: Inherency

Nuclear power and the spin-offs are inevitable – it’s only a question of government involvement.

Arizona State Law Journal, 9 
~[Anonymous, Choosing the Nuclear Option: The Case for a Strong Regulatory Response to Encourage Nuclear Energy Development, Spring 2009, L/N~]
Although these events are significant, this Comment’s thesis remains. If anything, the
AND
lowering nuclear power licensing costs would be two important steps to that end.

Global nuclear tech is resurging – status quo policies mean the US is left in the dust.

Madian, 11
~[Alan, an economist and management consultant and has held senior executive positions in investment banking. He has spent much of the past fifteen years as a principal advisor to CEOs of nuclear utilities for nuclear plant refurbishment and new construction planning and implementation, Prospects for a Nuclear Revival in the United States, Brattle Group Discussion Paper, 2-2011, http://www.brattle.com/_documents/UploadLibrary/Upload921.pdf-http://www.brattle.com/_documents/UploadLibrary/Upload921.pdf~]
If construction of new nuclear power plants were a contest with the score based on
AND
countries, new construction in nine countries, and restarted construction in eight.

Contention 2: Natural Gas

At current levels of consumption US will burn through available natural gas – dependence will leave the energy sector committed and with no alternatives.

Doran %26 Reed, 12
~[Kevin %26 Adam, an institute fellow and assistant research professor at the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute %26 a research associate at RASEI. He researches and writes on the legal, policy, and regulatory issues surrounding the deployment of sustainable energy technologies, Environment 360, 8-13-2012, http://e360.yale.edu/feature/natural_gas_role_in_us_energy_endgame/2561/-http://e360.yale.edu/feature/natural_gas_role_in_us_energy_endgame/2561/~]
A full-throttle shift to a gas-dominated electricity system, which now
AND
in manufacturing, or by outcompeting renewables as the cheapest source of power.

AND, multiple structural warrants for inevitable gas price spikes.

Spencer, 12
~[Jack,  Research Fellow in Nuclear Energy at The Heritage Foundation’s Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies, The Foundry, 9-12-2012, http://blog.heritage.org/author/jspencer/-http://blog.heritage.org/author/jspencer/~]
Part of the answer can be found in the Journal’s article. It points to
AND
now for another significant reform effort geared toward relating to the federal government. 

First scenario is growth. Inevitable price volatility hollows out the US industrial sector, global competitiveness and ensures recession – a mix based on a strong nuclear portfolio is key.

Bezdek %26 Wendling, 4 
~[Roger %26 Robert, Management Information Services Inc. in Washington, D.C, Public Utilities Fortnightly, April 2004, http://www.misi-net.com/publications/Case_Against_Gas_Dependence.pdf-http://www.misi-net.com/publications/Case_Against_Gas_Dependence.pdf~]
The manufacturing sector uses 40 percent of the natural gas consumed in the United States
AND
the most serious effect of the current (and future) gas crisis.

Global economic crisis causes war—strong statistical support proves

Jedediah Royal, Director of Cooperative Threat Reduction at the U.S. Department of Defense, 2010, "Economic Integration, Economic Signaling and the Problem of Economic Crises," Economics of War and Peace: Economic, Legal and Political Perspectives, ed. Goldsmith and Brauer, p. 213-215
Less intuitive is how periods of economic decline may increase the likelihood of external conflict
AND
such, the view presented here should be considered ancillary to those views.

SMRs level energy costs and insulate from inevitable gas price spikes.

Lamonica, 12
~[Martin, A Glut of Natural Gas Leaves Nuclear Power Stalled, Technology Review, 8-9-2012, http://www.technologyreview.com/news/428737/a-glut-of-natural-gas-leaves-nuclear-power/-http://www.technologyreview.com/news/428737/a-glut-of-natural-gas-leaves-nuclear-power/~]
Even in United States, of course, super cheap natural gas will not last
AND
one basket because of the new kid on the block called shale gas."

Next is Methane. Natural gas boom releases tons of methane into the atmosphere – significantly increasing pace climate change.

Tollefson, 12 
~[Jeff, came to Nature from Congressional Quarterly, where he covered energy, climate and the environment for two years. Before that he was a Knight fellow in science journalism at MIT; a science reporter at the Santa Fe New Mexican, where he covered Los Alamos and the national labs, Air sampling reveals high emissions from gas field, Nature, 2-7-2012, http://www.nature.com/news/air-sampling-reveals-high-emissions-from-gas-field-1.9982-http://www.nature.com/news/air-sampling-reveals-high-emissions-from-gas-field-1.9982~]
When US government scientists began sampling the air from a tower north of Denver,
AND
as April would promote such changes by regulating emissions from the gas fields.

Methane release collapses the Asian monsoon – leads to nuclear war.

Robertson, 9 
~[JE, Department of Oceanography, Southampton Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton, Global Climate Destabilization is Major Security %26 Economic Threat, http://www.casavaria.com/hotspring/2009/03/227/global-climate-destabilization-is-major-security-economic-threat/-http://www.casavaria.com/hotspring/2009/03/227/global-climate-destabilization-is-major-security-economic-threat/~]
The new administration in Washington, DC, has taken notice: climate change is
AND
that four nuclear-armed states are among those dependent on the monsoons.

Finally, grid security. Gas dominance locks everything else out of the market – nuclear is key to maintaining diversity.

Hart, 12
~[Kathleen, Duke CEO warns against ’all gas, all the time’ for electric generation, SNL, April 11, 2012, http://www.snl.com/Interactivex/article.aspx?CdId=A-14623524-13105-http://www.snl.com/Interactivex/article.aspx?CdId=A-14623524-13105~]
Warning against the use of "all gas, all the time" for electricity
AND
% of what we’ve built in the last two decades has been gas." 

Nuclear power is the vital link in base load generation – without it the entire electrical system grinds to a halt.

NEI, 3 
~[Nuclear Energy Institute, The Importance of Nuclear Energy to U.S. Energy Security, Fact Sheet, January 2003, http://heartland.org/sites/all/modules/custom/heartland_migration/files/pdfs/14419.pdf~~]
Energy Security Critical to National Security Energy security is essential to national security. Our
AND
and summer months, when electricity usage increases for heating or air conditioning. 

That’s ball game.

Rifkin, 2
~[Jeremy, The founder and president of the Foundation on Economic Trends, Fellow at the Wharton School’s Executive Education Program, The Hydrogen Economy: The Creation of the World-Wide Energy Web and the Redistribution of Power on Earth, p.163-164~]
It is understandable that we would be unmindful of the critical role that oil plays
AND
all stop. Civilization as we know it would come to an end.

Contention 3: Leadership

US nuclear leadership is in demise locking-out US influence in emerging safety and non-proliferation – federal action is vital to restore US influence. 
Wallace %26 Williams, 12
~[Michael %26 Sarah, a member of the National Infrastructure Advisory Council (NIAC), which advises the president on matters related to homeland security. He is also a member of the Nuclear Sector Coordinating Council under the Department of Homeland Security’s National Infrastructure Protection Plan and a member of Business Executives for National Security (BENS), the Naval Historical Foundation Advisory Council, and the Marquette University College of Engineering National Advisory Council, Nuclear Energy in America: Preventing its Early Demise, 2012, Global Forecast, April 17, 2012, http://csis.org/publication/nuclear-energy-america-preventing-its-early-demise-http://csis.org/publication/nuclear-energy-america-preventing-its-early-demise~]
America’s nuclear energy industry is in decline. Low natural gas prices, financing hurdles
AND
.S. nuclear industry and take action to prevent its early demise.

Civil nuclear leadership catalyzes nuclear non-proliferation – EVEN IF – US remains a hegemon nuclear power leadership is key.

Begelsdorf, 7 
~[Harold, Principal with the consulting firm of Bengelsdorf, McGoldrick, and Associates, held numerous senior positions in the U.S. government, including the Energy Department and its predecessor agencies, the State Department, and the U.S. Mission to the IAEA, American Council on Global Nuclear Competitiveness, THE U.S. DOMESTIC CIVIL NUCLEAR INFRASTRUCTURE AND U.S. NONPROLIFERATION POLICY, May 2007, White Paper, http://www.nuclearcompetitiveness.org/images/COUNCIL_WHITE_PAPER_Final.pdf~~]
If the United States hopes to continue to exercise strong and specific influence internationally in
AND
nonproliferation objectives must go hand in hand and can be made mutually reinforcing. 

Prolif will trigger preemptive nuclear wars around the planet
Utgoff ’2, Deputy Director of Strategy, Forces, and Resources Division of Institute for Defense Analysis
~[Victor A., "Proliferation, Missile Defence and American Ambitions," Survival, Summer, p. 87-90~]
Further, the large number of states that became capable of building nuclear weapons over
AND
members of a sheriff’s posse, even in the face of nuclear threats. 

Vibrant domestic industrial base key to influence over global safety.

Domenici %26 Miller, 12
~[Pete %26 Warren, private consultant and a part time Research Professor at Texas A %26 M University, Maintaining U.S. Leadership in Global Nuclear Energy Markets, Energy and Infrastructure Program, Energy Project, July, 2012, http://bipartisanpolicy.org/sites/default/files/Leadership%20in%20Nuclear%20Energy%20Markets.pdf-http://bipartisanpolicy.org/sites/default/files/Leadership in Nuclear Energy Markets.pdf~]
Nuclear power technologies are distinct from other potential exports in energy or in other sectors
AND
have to develop effective spent fuel management and disposal capabilities of their own. 

Only US SMRs have a closed fuel cycle resolving waste and storage issues.

US department of Commerce, 11
~[The Commercial Outlook for U.S. Small Modular Nuclear Reactors, US Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, Manufacturing and Services Competitiveness Report, 2-2011, http://trade.gov/mas/ian/build/groups/public/@tg_ian/@nuclear/documents/webcontent/tg_ian_003185.pdf-http://trade.gov/mas/ian/build/groups/public/@tg_ian/@nuclear/documents/webcontent/tg_ian_003185.pdf~]
Another potential long-term strength of SMRs is that some designs could also support
AND
such designs are unlikely to be deployed in the near or mid term. 

That’s key to global safety modeling.

Begelsdorf, 7 
~[Harold, Principal with the consulting firm of Bengelsdorf, McGoldrick, and Associates, held numerous senior positions in the U.S. government, including the Energy Department and its predecessor agencies, the State Department, and the U.S. Mission to the IAEA, American Council on Global Nuclear Competitiveness, THE U.S. DOMESTIC CIVIL NUCLEAR INFRASTRUCTURE AND U.S. NONPROLIFERATION POLICY, May 2007, White Paper, http://www.nuclearcompetitiveness.org/images/COUNCIL_WHITE_PAPER_Final.pdf~~]
In this connection, one the of the most severe challenges facing the nonproliferation regime
AND
initiatives designed to discourage the spread of sensitive nuclear facilities to other countries.

Exporting safe nuclear technology is key to international modeling of US safety standards

ANS 12
(The American Nuclear Society is a professional membership organization of engineers and scientists devoted to the applications of nuclear science and technology. "ANS adopts position statement on U.S. global nuclear leadership through export-driven engagement". July 2, 2012. http://ansnuclearcafe.org/2012/07/02/global-nuclear-leadership/-http://ansnuclearcafe.org/2012/07/02/global-nuclear-leadership/)

ANS believes the U.S. should remain committed to facilitating an expansion of
AND
and responsive to the needs of  the U.S. nuclear industry.

International modeling is directly connected to US domestic nuclear energy policy – plan is key to ensuring good modeling

Sagan 11
(Scott D. Sagan, Center for International Security and Cooperation Stanford University. "The International Security Implications Of U.S. Domestic Nuclear Power Decisions". April 18, 2011. http://cybercemetery.unt.edu/archive/brc/20120621005012/http://brc.gov/sites/default/files/documents/sagan_brc_paper_final.pdf-http://cybercemetery.unt.edu/archive/brc/20120621005012/http:/brc.gov/sites/default/files/documents/sagan_brc_paper_final.pdf)

The United States makes decisions regarding the domestic uses of nuclear energy and the nuclear
AND
actions that would better promote our broader global nonproliferation and nuclear security interests.
Reactor meltdowns cause extinction
Gonçalves, 2001 (Eduardo, environmental researcher, author of the reports Broken Arrow - Greenham Common’s Secret Nuclear Accident and Nuclear Guinea Pigs - British Human Radiation Experiments, published by CNL) (UK), "The Secret Nuclear War," Ecologist, April)
But could radiation really be to blame for these deaths? Are the health costs
AND
, an act which requires a new word to describe it: omnicide.

Acting now gives the US a seat at the table- delaying development could lock US out of the market – federal procurement is key.

Freed, Horwitz %26 Eschow, 10
~[Josh, Elizabeth %26 Jeremy, Director of the Third Way Clean Energy Program, Thinking Small On Nuclear Power, Third Way: Nuclear Energy, 9, 2010, http://content.thirdway.org/publications/340/Third_Way_Idea_Brief_-_Thinking_Small_On_Nuclear_Power.pdf-http://content.thirdway.org/publications/340/Third_Way_Idea_Brief_-_Thinking_Small_On_Nuclear_Power.pdf~]
Getting small reactors deployed quickly is a national imperative. Our energy needs demand it
AND
to create first markets and help drive down costs of first mover technologies. 

The plan: The United States federal government should enter into power purchase agreement for nuclear reactors under 150MW.

Contention 4: Solvency

Federal aggregation and procurement of SMR power creates a competitive market and fosters expansion.

Rosner %26 Goldberg, 11
~[Robert %26 Stephen, Energy Policy Institute at Chicago The Harris School of Public Policy Studies, Energy Policy, William Wrather Distinguished Service Professor in Astronomy %26 Astrophysics, Institute at Chicago, 11-11-2011, https://epic.sites.uchicago.edu/sites/epic.uchicago.edu/files/uploads/EPICSMRWhitePaperFinalcopy.pdf-https://epic.sites.uchicago.edu/sites/epic.uchicago.edu/files/uploads/EPICSMRWhitePaperFinalcopy.pdf~]
6.2 GOVERNMENT SPONSORSHIP OF MARKET TRANSFORMATION INCENTIVES Similar to other important energy technologies
AND
, can surmount these challenges and provide critical initial markets for SMR plants. 

Plan builds economies of scale, spills over to the private sector and avoids links to politics.

Parenti, 10 
~[Christian, The Big Green Buy: How Government’s Purchasing Power Can Drive the Clean-Energy Revolution, Huffington Post, July 16, 2010, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christian-parenti/the-big-green-buy-how-gov_b_648865.html-http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christian-parenti/the-big-green-buy-how-gov_b_648865.html~]
An overemphasis on breakthrough inventions can obscure the fact that most of the energy technologies
AND
market mover that has already shown it can leverage money-saving deals.

Focus on SMR rebuilds credit for nuclear energy. 
Rosner %26 Goldberg, 11
~[Robert %26 Stephen, Energy Policy Institute at Chicago The Harris School of Public Policy Studies, Energy Policy, William Wrather Distinguished Service Professor in Astronomy %26 Astrophysics, Institute at Chicago, 11-11-2011, https://epic.sites.uchicago.edu/sites/epic.uchicago.edu/files/uploads/EPICSMRWhitePaperFinalcopy.pdf-https://epic.sites.uchicago.edu/sites/epic.uchicago.edu/files/uploads/EPICSMRWhitePaperFinalcopy.pdf~]
According to a recent study issued by the Texas Institute, the historical record of
AND
the investment requirements are comparable – SMRs could potentially "fit the bill." 

Sustainable SMR industry in the US is key to global leadership in nuclear power and reducing carbon emission – the plan doesn’t trade-off renewable.

Rosner %26 Goldberg, 11
~[Robert %26 Stephen, Energy Policy Institute at Chicago The Harris School of Public Policy Studies, Energy Policy, William Wrather Distinguished Service Professor in Astronomy %26 Astrophysics, Institute at Chicago, 11-11-2011, https://epic.sites.uchicago.edu/sites/epic.uchicago.edu/files/uploads/EPICSMRWhitePaperFinalcopy.pdf-https://epic.sites.uchicago.edu/sites/epic.uchicago.edu/files/uploads/EPICSMRWhitePaperFinalcopy.pdf~]
As stated earlier, SMRs have the potential to achieve significant greenhouse gas emission reductions
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Japan, Korea, Russia, and, now rapidly emerging, China.

2AC BLOCKS

Carbon Tax

Combination of incentives and taxes is the best way to solve.
Arizona State Law Journal, 9
~[Anonymous, Choosing the Nuclear Option: The Case for a Strong Regulatory Response to Encourage Nuclear Energy Development, Spring 2009, L/N~]
For the first time in over thirty years, nuclear energy is primed for a
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shortterm, allowing nuclear power’s long-term efficiency to replace fossil fuels.
Doesn’t solve –
Takes too long to solve warming – carbon tax work is too slow for the market. Only the perm resolves these issues
 Plumer 12
(Brad, Staff at the Washington Post, "Could a carbon tax help the U.S. avert the fiscal cliff?" 8/27, http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/wp/2012/08/27/how-a-carbon-tax-could-help-the-u-s-avert-the-fiscal-cliff/-http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/wp/2012/08/27/how-a-carbon-tax-could-help-the-u-s-avert-the-fiscal-cliff/ JL)
With the carbon tax proposed by MIT (that’s the green line in the chart
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energy measures in order to make a significant dent in tackling global warming.
Carbon taxes spike electricity rates rapidly in the short term AND force reliance on natural gas plants – this guts solvency.
Environmental Entrepreneurs 12
(NRDC, "E2 FEATURE: IMPACTS OF A CARBON TAX", April 30, http://www.e2.org/jsp/controller?anchorName=tonyarticle%26docId=28650-http://www.e2.org/jsp/controller?anchorName=tonyarticle%26docId=28650 JL)

A tax on carbon will raise the cost of electricity in the US. Approximately
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coal-intensive utilities will come down when they switch to natural gas.
Rate increases disproportionately affect the most vulnerable in the economy – kills recovery and locks us into a worse crash.
Bryce 12
(Robert, Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute, "THE HIGH COST OF RENEWABLE-ELECTRICITY MANDATES" Energy Policy %26 the Environment Report, No. 10 February, http://www.manhattan-institute.org/html/eper_10.htm-http://www.manhattan-institute.org/html/eper_10.htm JL)

Our analysis of the various RPS mandates at the state level shows that predictions of
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will harm "’the states’ efforts to achieve greenhouse gas reductions."~[10~]
Carbon tax kills jobs, manufacturing competitiveness and causes a trade war.
Morgan 12
(Derrick, Vice President for Domestic and Economic Policy at The Heritage Foundation, "A Carbon Tax Would Harm U.S. Competitiveness and Low-Income Americans Without Helping the Environment", 8/21, http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2012/08/a-carbon-tax-would-harm-us-competitiveness-and-low-income-americans-without-helping-the-environment-http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2012/08/a-carbon-tax-would-harm-us-competitiveness-and-low-income-americans-without-helping-the-environment JL)

While some may believe that the United States is a post-industrial power,
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many Americans who want to go to work producing products for the world.
Trade war is key internal link to China war – only the plan solves by stimulating exports
Ivan Eland, Senior Fellow and Director of the Center on Peace %26 Liberty at The Independent Institute, 5-31-05, ~["Avoid Threatening China Over Its Currency," Independent Institute, http://www.independent.org/newsroom/article.asp?id=1515-http://www.independent.org/newsroom/article.asp?id=1515~]

Some senators are already threatening to raise tariffs against Chinese goods unless China raises the
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peace lobby in each nation and a greater incentive to avoid military confrontation.
China war escalates and goes nuclear
Lee J. Hunkovic — professor at American Military University, 09, ~["The Chinese-Taiwanese Conflict Possible Futures of a Confrontation between China, Taiwan and the United States of America", American Military University, p.54~]

A war between China, Taiwan and the United States has the potential to escalate
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outcome, therefore, other countries will not be considered in this study.
Carbon tax is net worse for taxpayers, the industry and the economy – this assumes revenue shifts
Morgan 12
(Derrick, Vice President for Domestic and Economic Policy at The Heritage Foundation, "A Carbon Tax Would Harm U.S. Competitiveness and Low-Income Americans Without Helping the Environment", 8/21, http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2012/08/a-carbon-tax-would-harm-us-competitiveness-and-low-income-americans-without-helping-the-environment-http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2012/08/a-carbon-tax-would-harm-us-competitiveness-and-low-income-americans-without-helping-the-environment JL)

Creating an entirely new federal revenue stream does not usually end up well for taxpayers
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avoid "picking winners and losers with preferential or punitive policies."~[36~]

Consumerism K

Perm – Do Both
Monthly Review, March 1990, v. 41, no. 10, p 38
No institution is or ever has been a seamless monolith.  Although the inherent mechanism of American capitalism is as you describe it, oriented solely to profit without regard to social consequences, this does not preclude significant portions of that very system from joining forces with the worldwide effort for the salvation of civilization, perhaps even to the extent of furnishing the margin of success for that very effort.

Don’t buy their no blueprints needed argument – no revolution is possible without concrete action
Kliman, ’4 – PhD, Professor of Economics at Pace University (Andrew, Andrew Kliman’s Writings, "Alternatives to Capitalism: What Happens After the Revolution?" http://akliman.squarespace.com/writings/-http://akliman.squarespace.com/writings/)
Neglect is not the only reason why revolutionaries have failed to concretize the vision of
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the ability to learn from the theoretical achievements and mistakes of prior generations.  

Capitalism is resilient and no alternative solves – recent economic crisis proves
Freedman, ’9. Lawrence, Prof of war studies @ King’s College London. "A Subversive on the Hill," The National Interest, May-June, Lexis.
And yet, even as we experience a crisis of liberal capitalism, so far
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it can take on new forms while staying true to its core principles. 

a. They cede the political
Wilson, 2k – Author of many books including ’The Myth of Political Correctness’ – 2000 (John K. Wilson, "How the Left can Win Arguments and Influence People" p. 7- 10)
Socialism is dead. Kaput. Stick a fork in Lenin’s corpse. Take the
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that socialism isn’t (or shouldn’t be) a long-dead ideology.

b. The impact is discrimination and global war
Rorty 98 – professor emeritus of comparative literature and philosophy, by courtesy, at Stanford University (Richard, "ACHIEVING OUR COUNTRY: Leftist Thought in Twentieth-Century America", 1998, pg. 89-94)
*WE DO NOT ENDORSE GENDERED LANGUAGE*
Many writers on socioeconomic policy have warned that the old industrialized democracies are heading into
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everywhere and nowhere, as evanescent and insistent as a resourceful spook."10

Cap reduces the risk of war
Gartzke 5 - Associate Professor of Political Science at Columbia University
(Erik, Capitalist peace or democratic peace, Dec 2005, "Institute of foreign affairs review," Vol57, Proquest)
The intellectual liberal tradition of economic peace beginning with Montesquieu, Mill, Adam Smith
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through which leaders can establish credibility without needing to escalate to military force.

The aff is key to solve structural inequality
Calls to resist H-1b visas lock in the structural inequalities of the squo- only the aff provides a mechanism for the movement of people which will overcome the inequities of global capitalism while developing STEM innovation
Clemens, 9 (Michael, a research fellow at the Center for Global Development where he leads the Migration and Development initiative, Solve the Crisis by…Kicking Out the World’s Best and Brightest? http://blogs.cgdev.org/globaldevelopment/2009/02/solve-the-crisis-bykicking-out.php ~[accessed 9/29/10~])
The global economic crisis is already creating pressure for the United States to further restrict
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, will make poor and developed countries alike more prosperous in the end.

Uranium Mining

1. No link – SMRs recycle and use thorium
   Hastings 12
   (Matthew Hastings, Edison Electric Institute. "Small Nuclear Power Reactors: A Caribbean Future?" June 4, 2012. http://www.carilec.com/members2/uploads/CEO2012_Presentations/7a_MHastings_SmallModularReactorsACaribbeanFuture.pdf-http://www.carilec.com/members2/uploads/CEO2012_Presentations/7a_MHastings_SmallModularReactorsACaribbeanFuture.pdf)

Some SMRs can generate power from what is now regarded as "waste", burning
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it can provide power even to areas where security concerns have been raised.
3. N/U – Uranium mining in Australia is inevitable
Spooner 12
(Rania Spooner, staff writer for the Sydney Morning Herald. "Hopes high for uranium mine after BHP sale". August 28, 2012. http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac;jsessionid=69BFAF6FA758FC18EA48D2E006FF4990?sy=afr%26pb=all_ffx%26dt=selectRange%26dr=1month%26so=relevance%26sf=text%26sf=headline%26rc=10%26rm=200%26sp=brs%26cls=16336%26clsPage=1%26docID=SMH1208287J7CV36QBG0-http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac;jsessionid=69BFAF6FA758FC18EA48D2E006FF4990?sy=afr%26pb=all_ffx%26dt=selectRange%26dr=1month%26so=relevance%26sf=text%26sf=headline%26rc=10%26rm=200%26sp=brs%26cls=16336%26clsPage=1%26docID=SMH1208287J7CV36QBG0)

WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S largest undeveloped uranium deposit, the Yeelirrie project, could finally be mined following a BHP Billiton sale to global uranium player Cameco.
After deferring the %2438 billion expansion of Olympic Dam in South Australia, BHP
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Project next month, with the federal government expected to follow in October.
4. N/U – Uranium producers are looking to mine millions of pounds per year form Wyoming
Fugleberg 11
(Jeremy Fugleberg, Casper Star Tribune. "Wyoming uranium production on the rise". January 13, 2011. http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/wyoming/article_626e7877-2037-533d-9b16-6d2db153cb9f.html-http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/wyoming/article_626e7877-2037-533d-9b16-6d2db153cb9f.html)

More than three decades later, uranium appears to be back, its price driven
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Denver to Cheyenne, which indicates the importance of Wyoming to Cameco’s future.
5. No Impact – New technology has significantly reduced the environmental concerns of uranium mining
Conaway 11
(Laura Conaway, staff writer of rmsnbc. "Uranium mining is good for you". December 20, 2011. http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2011/12/20/9585087-uranium-mining-is-good-for-you?lite-http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2011/12/20/9585087-uranium-mining-is-good-for-you?lite)

A company called Virginia Uranium has beencom/_news/2011/12/01/9139998-totally-in-charge-virginia-gop-ponders-uranium-mining what it believes is
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industry," said Patrick Wales, a geologist and the company’s project manager.