Nuclear reality
Regarding the article about how regulators have ordered a probe into the response to July Fourth power outages, the recently enacted Power New Jersey Act supports building a large nuclear power plant in the state. Gov. Mikie Sherrill described nuclear power as “affordable,” “secure,” “reliable,” and “clean.” But facts indicate otherwise.
Affordable? The only two new U.S. reactors started in the past 30 years cost $37 billion — way above the original estimate of $14 billion.
Secure? Nuclear power plants are heavily guarded, especially after the 9/11 attacks (al-Qaeda had considered attacking U.S. nuclear plants on 9/11).
Reliable? During a recent heat wave, France shut three reactors temporarily and reduced power at eight others. Reactors return billions of gallons of used/heated water to their source daily, making them unreliable when electricity is most needed.
Clean? Reactors generate more than 100 radioactive chemicals, similar to atomic bomb explosions. This waste is stored at plants for hundreds of years, or escapes into air and water. The cancer death rate in Salem County, N.J., was slightly below the state until the mid-1980s (after three reactors opened), but is now 33% higher.
New Jersey relies on fracked natural gas and nuclear power for most of its power. Safe, renewable, and affordable sources like wind and solar now generate more than 30% of U.S. electricity; these, not nuclear, should be the focus of our energy future.
Joseph Mangano, Ocean City, N.J.
What antifa?
Marco Rubio is organizing an “antifa summit” to target “left-wing extremists,” which he claims pose a violent threat. Can he cite an example? There is no left-wing equivalent to the Ku Klux Klan, Proud Boys, or Oath Keepers. Right-wing individuals and groups have committed many acts of violence, including mass shootings at churches and synagogues. They held marches displaying racism and antisemitism, and played a prominent role in the violent (and televised) attack on the U.S. Capitol. The administration seeks to quell “violent secular political groups whose ideology is anti-American, radically pro-transgender, and anarchist.” Although no such groups exist, I will address those labels. For anti-American, Rubio should look at the White House. Donald Trump has expressed the desire to “terminate” any portion of the Constitution that stands in the way of his own agenda. When asked on Meet the Press if he needed to uphold the Constitution, he said, “I don’t know,” even though he swore an oath to do so. There is nothing more un-American than violating the Constitution, and Trump has done just that countless times. As for “pro-transgender,” I have read the Constitution, and there is not a word in it prohibiting people from being transgender, or requiring Americans to treat them with animosity. Nor is anarchy a goal of the left wing. On the contrary, the millions of people participating in No Kings rallies are doing so to remind Washington that the supreme law is the Constitution, and it applies to all, including elected officials.
Jean A. Kozel, West Norriton
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