Bickering between Gas and Nuclear in PA shows renewable the way

George here: Proponents of renewable energy should look to the bickering between the Gas and Nuclear industries in Pennsylvania. This story by Nell McCormack Abom on Pennsylvania's WITF TV’s Smart Talk points out that a stable energy future will not be provided by either one of these fuels. Here is a comment by George Lewis, senior manager of corporate communications at PPL Inc. that operates the Susquehanna Nuclear Power Plant in Luzerne County (PPL) in the story:

"You also want to be careful not to put all your eggs in one basket because if everyone starts building natural gas plants, then the country becomes overly dependent on natural gas," Lewis adds. "And should there be disruption in natural-gas supply or not as much gas comes on the market as everyone expected, or maybe there are continuing environmental issues of extracting the gas from the Marcellus Shale region, well, if you put all your bet on natural gas then you are in another bind a few years down the road of not having the right type of fuels."

On the other side of the argument is former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge, who served as the first secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and is now is a strategic advisor to the Marcellus Shale Coalition. From the story:

As we debate the future of energy, fears of radiation-tainted food and water plague Japan. The government banned shipments of spinach and milk in several areas within 20 miles of the plant after tests found higher-than-normal radiation levels. They also found high levels of iodine in tap water in Tokyo and villages up to 30 miles from the crippled Fukushima plant. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration have banned imports of dairy products and produce from the region of Japan near the plant.

Opponents of renewable energy, for their obvious reasons, have made the lack of job creation the reason we should stand against wind and solar. But jobs are not the main reason to go for these clean and renewable technologies. For example, if we save more money by using cheaper energy and stop importing we will see job growth and folks will have money to spend. Retirement may not be as worrisome because we will be able to save more and live for less. These two ideas alone make me salivate for renewable energy.

Governments also will save money. No more watch dogs will need to be on the payroll, keeping an eye on polluters because they will be no pollution. They talk about fewer regulations. Well guess what? Renewable energy creates very little pollution, so we can okay to fewer regulations. You get the picture. The end of the road is paved with green jobs.

See the rest of the story here:
How Japan Changes the Game for PA Energy - Smart Talk TV

witf.org

by George Lopez

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