Nuclear power is sensible way to go
If legislators like 10th District Congressman Mark Kirk are really concerned about reducing our dependence on foreign oil in favor of green technology, why is there so little discussion about nuclear power?
Nuclear plants are the lowest cost and safest electricity generator, hands down, in addition to being GREEN.
To generate the same amount of energy with wind as an average-sized nuclear plant - 1,000 megawatts - you would need 270 square miles filled with wind turbines. By contrast, a nuclear facility fits on less than 1 square mile.
Presently a dual-reactor power plant built by ComEd in 1973 stands idle in Zion. Initially some steam generator tubes were found leaking, but the tubes were closed off and the facility continued to run without jeopardizing the employees, the area citizens or the environment. The steam generators could have been replaced for $435 million, but instead ComEd decided to prematurely shutter and close the facility in January 1998.
David Hollein, a resident of Barrington Hills, formerly the Westinghouse Project engineer for all the Commonwealth nuclear plants built by Westinghouse and General Electric, and who was intimately involved with the design of the nuclear units at the Zion dual reactor site, has for years (like a voice in the wilderness) been trying to alert legislators and citizens to the vast treasure of energy that remains shuttered at Zion's dual nuclear reactor site and has been demanding a second look.
Repeated overtures made to local legislators here in Lake County, especially Republican state Rep. JoAnn Osmond (R) and Democratic state Sen. Michael Bond have all been ignored.
It would be wise to note that the two Zion nuclear plants are part of a MIDWEST ELECTRICITY GRID, where electricity is fed by all the operating electrical generating plants. This grid includes all of Illinois and bordering states, including Michigan.
Europe is way ahead of America in using nuclear energy. France gets 77 percent of its electricity from nuclear reactors. Recently it has been reported that China intends to build 100 nuclear reactors.
It is folly to believe that wind turbines and solar panels can replace coal and oil. The Zion units served Chicago and the northern quarter of Illinois. More, not less, energy will be needed in years to come. Nuclear is the only sensible way to go!
Nancy J. Thorner
Lake Bluff