Energy for the Future Bill 2014 (Debating)

[Lumine]

Senator, the research doesn't advocate for the expansion of nuclear or natural gas. It is highlighting that we cannot ignore them if we are talking about short-medium term options. We cannot suddenly create wholesale renewables supply like that.

You are right, but I can not really stomach nuclear energy being called a "short-medium term option". We until now have found no way what to do with nuclear waste ultimately, and if we continue to expand nuclear energy, we will just have to deal with an even bigger amount of radioactive waste sometime in the future.

Anyway, research might prove a solution to this, and does not do that much harm, so I guess my criticism is void.

I believe Nuclear Energy is a sensible medium term approach (and I advocated for it in my Clean Energy Reseach Act), and it's certainly more efficient than using oil or coal. It produces more energy and while the waste is a major issue, Atlasia has several pieces of legislation in place to regulate certain aspects of nuclear plans to deal with that in the best way possible. We are ahead of OTL America on many aspects and in a few years I believe we will be able to get most if not all of our energy from renewable and environmental friendly sources, but unless we use nuclear energy in the transition phase we would be stuck with oil, gas or coal, and each one of them comes with environmental (and geopolitical in case of oil) dilemmas that it would be best to avoid.

I actually like the spirit of the bill, although, wouldn't 20% be a bit high? I recognize that the more income we gather for NEF the better, but that might be too much for some of the minor companies, or at least that's the impression I have...

[Lumine]

Senator Polnut, do you wish to wait a bit before judging both amendments or have you decided on them?
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Personally I am torn with Deus's amendment, since I share some of his concerns. As I stated 20% does seem a bit high for me, but on the other hand if companies were to contribute a part of their profits it would make the program quite viable and we obviously need extra research on many energy issues. If we want to stake a middle ground perhaps we could lower the percentage or make it relative to the profits of said companies (although that's far more complicated).

[Lumine]

Bumping Deus's amendment for more clarity:

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A vote is now open on the proposed amendment. Senators, please vote Aye, Nay or Abstain.

[Lumine]

Nay.

[Lumine]

With six votes in the negative and two in the affirmative, this amendment has failed.

Aye (2) Senator Deus and Senator Cassius.
Nay (6) Senator Cranberry, Senator Cynic, Senator Bore, Senator Polnut, President Pro Tempore Lumine and Senator TNF.
Abstained (1) Senator Yankee.

Not Voting (1) Senator JCL.

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Senator TNF, will you withdraw your earlier amendment as stated before or should I consider it as still active?

[Lumine]

Very well, Senators have 24 hours to object to the amendment.

[Lumine]

Senators, a vote has started on Senator Polnut's amendment, please vote Aye, Nay or Abstain.

[Lumine]

Aye.

[Lumine]

The amendment has failed.

Aye (3) PPT Lumine, Senator Deus and Senator Yankee.
Nay (4) Senator TNF, Senator Cranberry, Senator Bore and Senator Cynic.
Abstained (1) Senator JCL.

Not Voting (2) Senator Polnut and Senator Cassius.

[Lumine]

Very well, a final vote has started on the Energy for the Future Bill of 2014. Senators, please vote Aye, Nay or Abstain.

[Lumine]

Abstain. In most situations I would enthusiastically support this, but as others have stated 20% seems too high and too punishing.

[Lumine]

This has enough votes to pass, Senators have 24 hours to change their votes.

[Lumine]

Very well, this passes the Senate.

Aye (5) Senator Bore, Senator Cranberry, Senator TNF, Senator Cynic, and Senator Polnut.
Nay (4) Senator Yankee, Senator Cassius, Senator Deus and Senator JCL.
Abstained (1) PPT Lumine.

Not Voting (0)

[Lumine]

What is this doing right now?

Currently waiting for the President to sign, since DemPGH did not take action before resigning.

[Lumine]

Sponsor, as a redraft has been offered you can file a motion for the Senate to approve the redraft by simple majority, or withdraw the bill.

[Lumine]

What shall we do then?

[Lumine]

Alright, shall we vote on it then?

[Lumine]

Senators, a vote is now open on the redraft. Please vote Aye, Nay or Abstain.

[Lumine]

Abstain.

[Lumine]

Right, the redraft has enough votes to pass, Senators have 24 hours to change their votes.

[Lumine]

Very well, the Energy for the Future Bill 2014 redraft passes the Senate and is now sent to the President for executive action.

Aye (4) Senator TNF, Senator Polnut, Senator Cynic and Senator Bore.
Nay (3) Senator JCL, Senator Cassius and Senator Deus.
Abstained (3) PPT Lumine, Senator Yankee and Senator Nix.

Not Voting (0)