We need Kinzinger and nuclear power

Thank you, Daily Herald, for your Dec. 16 editorial in praise of Rep. Adam Kinzinger for defending against the unfounded attacks on our election system. Rep. Kinzinger is among the few Republicans who put our country ahead of politics in this time of unprecedented division. He has also spoken out on how important it is for America to not lose its largest source of environmentally clean and reliable energy - our nuclear power units.

As a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. Kinzinger has fought for legislation that would support our aging but valuable nuclear fleet and prevent the loss of the thousands of good-paying jobs.

It is time for Rep. Kinzinger and members of Congress on both sides to recognize a bipartisan approach that would not only prevent the shutdown of these valuable assets, but would also accelerate the transition to an economy no longer reliant on fossil fuels.

Place a gradually rising price on fossil fuel carbon at its source and return most of the proceeds to Americans. This approach seriously addresses climate change, improves air quality and is supported by virtually all economists, major corporations and the international community.

Sen. Dick Durbin's America's Clean Future Fund Act and the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act are examples of such policy. Predictable pricing allows market forces to determine energy investments without using government regulations or mandates.

Tom Rausch

Glen Ellyn