New pro-renewable energy, pro-nuclear group announced in Missouri
Organizers announced this morning that there’s a new group set up to “carry a statewide message that clean and renewable energy must power Missouri’s economic development engine.”
The group is called Missourians for a Balanced Energy Future (MBEF), which describes itself as “a non-profit, non-partisan coalition comprised of rural, urban and suburban residents, small and large businesses, labor, farmers and trade groups.
“MBEF will work in the 2009 Missouri General Assembly to educate Missourians about energy issues and enact legislation that promotes new clean and renewable energy sources while providing accountability and regulatory oversight in the interest of consumers.”
“The overwhelming voter approval of Proposition C last November shows a majority of Missourians agree our future is in clean and renewable energy,” said executive director Irl Scissors in a statement.
“Now we must legislatively provide the best long-range tools to implement this recent voter mandate, while assuring that future generations will have a clean, balanced, affordable and reliable energy supply.”
Mark Fohey, the group’s secretary and a labor-union activist, indicated that MBEF supports AmerenUE’s proposal to build a new nuclear plant.
Says the group: “..if AmerenUE is able to build a second nuclear plant in Callaway County, it would be the largest construction project in Missouri history, with a projected cost of more than $6 billion. The Callaway II project would employ approximately 4,000 workers at its peak and generate an estimated $1.2 billion in annual economic activity.”
Question: Will MBEF support Ameren’s proposal before the Legislature, which would allow the utility to charge consumers for financing costs while the nuclear plant is being built?
Answer: Yes.
I am glad to see this. I was one of those who had questions about nuclear in the 70’s, and I consider myself an environmentalist - I did then and I do now. But it is now clear that nuclear energy is the cleanest option we have for making electricity to supply our needs all the time (not just when it is sunny or windy, not that there is anything wrong with those sources). The CWIP law, which I once supported, actually would lead to a big rate spike once a new plant goes online rather than phasing in small payments. I want my grandkids and their kids to have more power with less of a carbon footprint. So I support this.
I just finished a wonderful new book called The Manhattan Project of 2009 Energy Independence Now by author Jeff Wilson. It is without a doubt the best book out there. We seriously need to get on with utilizing alternative energy. The high cost of oil this past year seriously damaged our economy and society. The trickle down effects will be felt for years to come. The cost of fuel affects the price of every consumer product. Oil is finite it will run out one day in the not too distant future. We are using oil globally at the rate of 2 X faster than new oil is being discovered. We have so much available to us in the way of natural energy, wind , solar, wave plus the modern technologies of hybrid etc. What America seems to lack is a plan. This book even outlines a plan, a legislative agenda. It is fascinating and brings the act of weaning America off oil into perspective. http://www.themanhattanprojectof2009.com
What is this group’s position on the disposal and transportation of nuclear waste?
Read the bill. One thing’s for sure - CWIP will raise rates. Even if they sell the power out of state and it only runs one lightbulb in Missouri, we would still be on the hook for the whole cost of a ridiculously expensive wasteful technology. Which makes one wonder, is it fair that all the profits should accrue on one side of the column and all the liabilities go to the ratepayers? Which is really too bad because if we invested in efficiency and renewables, we could all watch our bills shrink instead of the other way around. Cleaner, faster, cheaper - and more jobs beyond just Callaway County.
The only thing nukes guarantee is higher bills and more radioactive waste in the Missouri river floodplain - and tax bills to clean that up too.
Now’s the time to plan to get yourself off the grid to stay off the hook for Ameren’s follies.
Nuclear is NOT a renewable resource (uranium is a very limited resource and requires very intensive and very dirty mining). And for Ameren and their cronies to say that this is what Missourians voted for when they passed Proposition C last November is offensive.
How about investing REAL money in energy efficiency, Ameren? Reduce demand by retrofitting every building in St. Louis for a fraction of the cost of a nuclear plant.