Switch to Nuclear Power

From freep.com.....

On this coming 39th anniversary of Earth Day on Wednesday, Michigan is facing one of the greatest energy challenges in its history, with serious implications for the state's environment and its economy. Our energy demand is surging, and we need every available energy source to meet it. At the same time, we need to prioritize our energy investments in favor of those that don't pollute our air and don't rely on hostile or unstable foreign sources.

As former governors, we support expanding Michigan's nuclear energy capacity. Carbon-free nuclear energy has long been a workhorse for the state's energy needs, powering one out of every four homes and businesses. Because nuclear energy produces virtually no air pollutants, it accounts for more than 87% of all carbon-free electricity generated in the state each year.

Nuclear energy can help power Michigan's economic turnaround. The state's auto manufacturers are hard at work electrifying the domestic vehicle fleet, and battery makers are migrating here to support this important transition. But Michigan needs to take the next step to produce the clean electricity essential for plug-in hybrid cars.

After all, an electric car is only as clean as the electricity that powers it. Increasing our nuclear energy capacity to fuel these vehicles won't just lift Detroit's prospects, it will give a shot in the arm to communities statewide.

It takes as many as 2,400 skilled tradesmen to build each new reactor, and once built, they employ 400 to 700 workers at salaries few can match, according to the Clean and Safe Energy Coalition. Each reactor generates about $430 million a year in total output for surrounding areas, along with nearly $40 million in labor income. New reactors also provide a substantial boost to suppliers of commodities like concrete and steel, and to the manufacturers of hundreds of components. At a time when Michigan has sustained job losses in every month since January 2007, we owe it to ourselves to invest in industries that can generate widespread economic activity.

We have to act now. A nuclear renaissance is sweeping the country, with many states attracting new nuclear energy facilities. About 30 new reactors are being considered as the American public and policymakers support emissions-free electricity sources. This year's Gallup Environment Poll showed that while a majority of Americans have backed nuclear energy in recent years, their support has reached new highs.

They believe, as Energy Secretary Steven Chu believes, that America's nuclear energy expansion should continue even as we work to complete a permanent disposal site for spent nuclear fuel. Chu recently pointed out to Congress that used fuel rods have been stored safely at nuclear plant sites for more than 30 years. He has also backed research into recycling spent fuel, as Japan, France and Britain do now. Clean, safe and reliable nuclear energy promises to play a key role in helping America achieve responsible and sustainable growth.

John Engler served as Michigan governor from 1991 to 2003, James Blanchard was governor from 1983 to 1991, and William Milliken served from 1969 to 1983.