Countries world-wide are dealing with the effects of climate change, and many governments are implementing efforts to reduce the burning of oil, gas and other fossil fuels which contribute to global warming.
Our federal government is funding development of clean energy supplies and providing incentives to states, companies and individuals to reduce the use of fossil fuels. State and local governments here are switching to electric buses, ferries and auto fleets. They are encouraging companies and the public to install heat pumps and purchase electric vehicles.
But people rightly ask where all the needed electricity will come from. Wind, solar, conservation and other “clean” energy sources can only provide so much. They cannot completely make up for the massive amount of energy our nation currently obtains from burning fossil fuels. The only answer, unfortunately, is nuclear energy.
We will need many new nuclear power plants over the next decade. Nuclear is the only mature technology that can make up the difference between what clean energy sources can provide and what we currently get from fossil fuels. While nuclear plants do not produce global-warming carbon emissions, they do produce hazardous waste.
Our country must have the fortitude to identify the best locations for permanent storage of nuclear waste and prepare them to receive shipments. Please support the politicians and scientists who are willing to make the difficult decisions to implement nuclear power and deal with the hazardous waste. It’s the only realistic way forward to protect our planet from the devastating effects of climate change.
Eric Selby
Lake Stevens
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