Drilling for Oil and other harmful practices

Electrical Power plants do not have to be hydrocarbon consuming monsters that belch great clouds of pollutants into the atmosphere. The majority of our power generation comes from burning hydrocarbons such as coal, natural gas, and fuel oil.
Two sources of electrical energy which have thus far proven to have a low level of pollutants, and nearly zero hydrocarbon emissions are wind power and solar power. Another that seemed to have possibilities was using ocean currents and coastal rise and fall of tides to generate electricity.
In the U.S, it takes 10 years or better to bring a nuclear power plant on line. Why can't we take a cue from the French, which generates the greater part of their electricity from nuclear power plants? Their success comes from the fact that they have a standard design for all plants, so that they are not starting over every time they construct a power plant. We Americans tend to re-invent the wheel and all our nuclear power plants are developed and built from scratch. Surely we have learned enough about their construction that we shouldn't have to start over each time one is built. But then that's the American way with anything that requires government approval. Everyone that possibly can be involved is involved.
Look at schools and jails; the ones I am aware of are completely new from concept to design to construction. Is it any wonder that we are raising generations of lock step citizens that all think and act alike. If we have a future, where is our future leadership coming from?
Buildings that are made for the same purpose could be made with one design that is basically fixed although with some latitude for minor changes. I can envision a modular design of single units or classrooms. If you needed a school with 12 classrooms, you used twelve modules, 20 classrooms, 20 modules. These modules could be built at one site and transported to their final location and assembled there like building blocks. You might have the option of putting a different facade on the building so they didn't all look alike, but the basic engineering would be the same, and not require new approval every time a new school or jail was built. This could significantly cut costs, and get new buildings that are needed quicker. Instead of three to five years to build a new school or jail, it could be done in a third of the time for conventional construction, possibly less.
Politics and patronage builds more schools and jails than anything else. We need to change this. I have always maintained that schools and roads are not necessarily built where they are needed most, but where politicians want them. I think the same can be said for our power generating and oil refining businesses.
A recent catch phrase has been "think outside the box." I think to this we can add, yes, think outside the box, but think box - modular box(es).
One more question: How is it that a multi-million shopping center can be built from scratch, from preparing the land to occupancy and grand opening in several months instead of several years?
If drilling for oil is approved for these forbidden areas, take note of how long it takes to start pumping oil.