Accessibility menu
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
NUCLEAR ENERGY HAS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT
By Joyce Peppin
State Representative
Assistant Minority Whip
A renewed emphasis on “going green” is sweeping the country. Here in Minnesota we have a “Green Jobs Task Force,” legislative proposals to create “green jobs” and dozens of bills that claim to make our state more environmentally friendly.
Although the days of $4.00 per gallon gas may be temporarily behind us, everyone understands the tremendous impact rising energy costs have on family budgets. Increasing our energy independence is a critical goal for our state and nation that deserves continued attention.
That is why I am encouraged that my legislation to permit the option of expanded nuclear power will be heard in the Legislative Energy Commission and the House Energy Finance and Policy Division next week.
For several years I have attempted to repeal the ban on nuclear power in Minnesota. Two years ago, my bill passed the House, but failed to clear the Senate. This is not a partisan issue. My legislation has broad bipartisan support in the House and Senate and the backing of both business groups and organized labor.
In a recent column, David Olson, president of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and Dick Anfang, president of the Minnesota State Building and Trades Council wrote; “Minnesota is recognized as a national leader in progressive energy policy. It’s time to take one more important step forward and place nuclear power on the menu of energy options.” I agree wholeheartedly.
In addition, the Star Tribune Editorial Board has voiced support. Governor Pawlenty and Minnesota Department of Commerce’s Office of Energy Security are in favor of it, and even the Obama administration has shown signs of openness to the issue. "There's no question that nuclear is going to be part of the solution" in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, said California Democratic U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer.
According to a 2008 poll by reputable pollster John Zogby, 67 percent of Americans support new nuclear power plant construction, and just 23 percent are opposed. Extreme environmentalists portray nuclear power as unsafe, but recent scientific advances in nuclear fuels technology as well as the eventual construction of much smaller, more efficient pebble bed nuclear power stations make nuclear power even safer than it is now.
Nuclear energy is a 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.
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.
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. If you agree, call or email the chair of the Legislative Energy Commission, Representative Bill Hilty at 651-296-4308, rep.bill.hilty@house.mn to express your support for increased nuclear power.
As our state continues to grow and as concerns about energy prices, climate change, and alternative fuels expand we need to keep all of our options on the table. That includes nuclear power.
-- 30 --
News Items
- PEPPIN REPORT: FORECAST SHOWS THIRD CONSECUTIVE STATE SURPLUS - (Posted: 2012-12-06 00:00:00)
- A Look Ahead to the 2012 Legislative Session - (Posted: 2012-01-26 00:00:00)
- A Call to Caucus - (Posted: 2012-02-04 00:00:00)
- Archived News Items
- Subscribe to RSS News Feeds
- Read more about RSS.