EDITORIAL: Nuclear power isn't the energy answer

December 26, 2007

http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071226/Opinion/712260390/1063/Opinion

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

The Tribune recently noted the appointment of Rep. Fred Upton R-St. Joseph to ranking member on the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality, replacing retiring Dennis Hastert. Very powerful position.

On Dec. 11. Upton voted "no" on a bill titled: "Creating Long-Term Energy Alternatives for the Nation Act." Upton loves nuclear power plants like Palisades and Cook. He thinks they're safe and we should have lots more of them. He has pushed for Federal Loan Guarantees to finance the construction of new plants and the continuation of the Price Anderson Act which insure against catastrophic accident because Wall Street won't touch it. If Upton has his way, U.S. taxpayers will construct and insure private nuclear power plants, with major equipment coming from foreign companies, significantly benefiting foreign corporations.

The last nuclear power plant in the United States was built in the '70s. There is a reason for that. Nuclear power is not cheap and not safe. "Near miss" catastrophes are legend. We have more than 60 years radioactive waste stored all over the country, including buried in shifting sand on the shores of Lake Michigan and we don't have a clue about what to do with it. We must be informed.

Let's put our minds and resources here and turn away from nuclear power, and nuclear catastrophe while we still can.

Cathy LaPointe
Cassopolis