Seems our Russian friends have a renewable energy plan, and it’s interesting what it doesn’t emphasize.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin stated at the September 9 meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club that “nuclear energy is the only alternative to traditional energy sources.”

He noted that “You couldn’t transfer large electric power stations to wind energy, however much you wanted to. In the next few decades, it will be impossible.”

He said nuclear energy is the only “real and powerful alternative” to oil and gas.  He rejects other alternative energy approaches as “claptrap.”

Putin’s comments confirm statements made in February by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev who said, “nuclear energy development was a national priority …”  Further stating that, “this is an absolute priority for our power grid development, power generation development and the development of energy potential.” Medvedev said at a meeting with local students.  He said “nuclear energy development also followed the goal of switching to green technology in the fight against global warming.”

In answer to a question about a delayed construction of a specific nuclear facility he said, “once it is mentioned in our program, we will certainly build it, because our power sector has no future without nuclear energy.”

The Russians are coming!  The Russians are coming!