Ralph Klein says nuclear power should not be used to extract oil from the tar sands, as proposed by a French company, except as a last resort. The Journal reports, "Klein says he would consider nuclear power only after other options including wind, solar and hydroelectrical power are exhausted."

The DEW Line isn’t completely anti-nuke. The new pebble-bed reactors are darned impressive (tinyurl.com/5fcu6). But we agree it’s a last resort, and wonder if the premier’s stand means the province will be promoting more alternative energy. Solar, wind, and other options are gaining in popularity due to the insane rise in oil prices. It makes sense to promote more research, development and manufacturing of solar and wind products in oil-rich Alberta, not only to get a share of this rapidly increasing market, but to ensure a good economy for the future of the province, when oil will be either redundant or unavailable.

There are some exciting things happening with solar, higher-efficiency, thinner cells that are cleanly manufactured, solar coatings and even solar fabrics (tinyurl.com/9mu7z) that give new meaning to the phrase "power-dressing." You could recharge your cellphone or laptop or power a lamp from your elbow or an outlet in your pocket. These things are performing well in prototype stage, and just need political will and consumer demand to bring them to market.

As for wind, there are now new portable, bird-safe windmills ready to market–small, unobtrusive and easy to install (tinyurl.com/9b2yv). Given how damned windy it has been here, this makes a helluva lot of sense.

ANOTHER ONE FOR RALPH

We have to give the premier this point on the oil bribe... I mean, the prosperity dividend. It’s fair and equal, everyone gets their $400. Most of us will send it right back to the energy companies to pay our gasoline and heating bills, the poor do need it, and the rich don’t need it. As we said before, much of this bounty comes from the misfortune of others. So do the right thing. If you don’t need it, give it to someone who does, here in Alberta or elsewhere in Canada.

Am I the only one who thinks it wouldn’t hurt to share a bit with other Canadians?

How are you going to spend your $400? Email the DEW Line with your suggestions.

GIVE US THIS ONE, RALPH

Jim Law, a spokesman for Premier Ralph Klein, says homeless people in Alberta are eligible for the $400, "if the province can figure out where to mail the checks," according to UPI. "Everyone in Alberta, with the exception of prisoners, is eligible for a slice of the oil and gas windfall that has blessed the province."

Have a heart. Give the prisoners the money too. They’ve got moms and wives and kids, and a cold winter coming. Rehabilitation can only be helped by a feeling of belonging to society, and an equal share in this bounty is a step towards that.

If you don’t want to give them the cash, give them vouchers for food, gasoline and/or correspondence courses for Athabasca university.

FERRIS BUELLER, WHERE ARE YOU?

The days of cutting class to go to the movies may be over. Edmonton schools are now online, and parents can check up on their kids attendance, homework and grades through ParentCONNECTxp. The Catholic school program allows parents-only access. The public system lets students login too. How long before the students figure out how to hack it?

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Via the Little Man in a Toque (tinyurl.com/9d7h8), a British blogger transplanted to Edmonton:

"The noblest prospect a Calgarian ever sees is the high road that leads him to Edmonton."