It's been a big week in energy, no wonder we're weary

Peter Dutton, the man now polling as a preferred prime minister to Anthony Albanese, threw a hand grenade into the energy debate, saying he wants nuclear reactors at the old Liddell power station site near Muswellbrook and at six other locations around the country.

Next is was Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen's turn to get energised, naming the preferred proponent for a Hunter offshore wind farm.

It is worth noting, Mr Dutton has not told voters how much the nuclear power stations will cost to build and run. But what we do know is that he wants his first reactors firing by 2035, a lot sooner than the CSIRO regards as feasible.

Mr Dutton's intervention may be a genuine attempt to shore up electricity supply, or it may be a cynical political exercise to stimulate climate change deniers.

For the seven communities facing the prospect of nuclear power on their doorsteps, it is hard to take it anything but seriously.

The community has many questions, and we have attempted to answer some of them, along with clearing the air on what all this actually means.

Some in the community prefer a nuclear option to wind farms. Rural communities, in particular, have been vocal in their opposition to transmission lines.

It is a lot of energy talk, enough to make you weary, really. Upper Hunter Nationals MP Dave Layzell quipped this week that he is dealing with debates about wind turbines, solar panels, transmission towers, gas pipelines and nuclear reactors when all he wants is more doctors.

The tragedy of the seemingly never-ending climate wars is the prospect of more delays at a time when our region's power stations are closing and our coal industry approaches the finishing straight.

Perhaps we need our leaders to stop playing politics, which just exhausts us all, and put some real energy into bringing an orderly transition to fruition.

Have a good Sunday.

Lisa Allan, editor