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State Representative Joyce Peppin
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-7806
For more information contact: Austin Bleess 651-296-5529
NEWS COLUMN
GLOBAL WARMING: FACT, FICTION OR SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN? Regardless of your position, nuclear power a much-needed energy option
Over the past several years, there has been increasing discussion about global warming, energy conservation, renewable energy, carbon “footprints” and what each of us can do to conserve energy and reduce the level of greenhouse gasses emitted into the atmosphere.
This past session, the legislature passed, and Governor Pawlenty signed into law renewable energy standards requiring electric utilities to produce 25 percent of their energy from renewable sources such as wind, biomass, landfill gas, solar and through other methods.
In the past week, Governor Pawlenty took over as chair of the National Governor’s Association and made “securing a clean energy future” as the group’s top priority. And in the paper recently was an in-depth story about the need for 11 Minnesota-based utilities to construct high-voltage power lines across our state to bring electrical power to where it is needed.
How we produce, use and dispose of our energy is an issue front and center in 50 state capitols as well as in Washington D.C.
What about global warming? Is the earth’s atmosphere undergoing rapid degradation due to rapidly rising greenhouse gas emissions, or is our planet experiencing a heating and cooling cycle similar to other temperature variations over the past several million years?
Regardless of your position on the hotly debated topic of global warming, the fact remains that the energy needs of Minnesota and the nation continue to rise and unless those needs are met, we are likely to soon face blackouts and brownouts similar to what California experienced several years ago. Clearly, securing a safe, reliable and renewable energy future is in our state’s best interest.
That is why I have worked to begin a much-needed discussion on the role nuclear energy can play in meeting our growing energy needs. Minnesota currently generates 15 percent of its energy from the Monticello and Prairie Island nuclear facilities, and I believe nuclear energy can and should play a much stronger role in meeting our energy demand.
Nuclear energy is a renewable, reliable, stable, home-grown energy source that does not emit greenhouse gasses which many believe cause global warming. It works where other renewable sources are limited. It is impossible to produce solar or wind energy when the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow and Minnesota’s climate can be inconsistent in meeting those needs. Nuclear energy does not share those same limitations.
Obviously, there are many questions surrounding the potential expansion of nuclear power. What is the cost? What are the safety concerns? How long would it take? Where would such a facility be located? Until this past session, however, those questions went unanswered because Minnesota had a prohibition on the construction of new nuclear facilities and discussion of expanded nuclear power options was effectively gagged.
The legislation I passed with bipartisan support requires the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to begin the discussion and analyze the role nuclear power should play in meeting our energy needs.
Nuclear power provides nearly 80 percent of the energy needs of France and estimates are that nearly 50 percent of the power needs of Western Europe come from nuclear sources. In short, nuclear power is time-tested and gets the job done.
Our country and state need to aggressively seek alternative forms of energy to meet our growing demand, and nuclear power is one underutilized source to help us achieve energy independence.
News Items
- PEPPIN REPORT: NW SUBURBAN FAMILIES WILL BE HIT HARD UNDER DAYTON AND DFL BUDGET - (Posted: May 28 2013 4:35PM)
- Rep. Peppin’s bill would lessen unfair fiscal disparities tax burden on Rogers - (Posted: Apr 3 2013 9:36AM)
- PEPPIN REPORT: FEBRUARY FORECAST REVEALS FOURTH CONSECUTIVE STATE SURPLUS - (Posted: Feb 28 2013 12:00AM)
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