No time to waste

On May 22, Common Sense at the Nuclear Crossroads held a press conference at Earth Fare, revealing John Sticpewich’s carefully documented report on the likelihood of greatly increased radioactive shipments through our area—should the Department of Energy’s proposed Global Nuclear Energy Partnership plan for reprocessing so-called “spent” nuclear fuel materialize. Actually, these fuel rods are the most radioactive material that the nuclear age has passed on to us. When the I-26 connector is complete, Asheville will become an even more attractive crossroads for such hazardous materials.

Our government proposes even more of our tax funding for nuclear weapons for our security, and nuclear power to deal with global warming. More U.S. funding for nuclear weapons encourages global nuclear weapons proliferation. How does that make us more secure?

To deal with the many catastrophic effects of global warming, why should we rely on nuclear power, which is the slowest to [make] operational, most costly, most energy inefficient, most dangerous, and which creates attractive terrorism targets?

To deal with global warming, we don’t have time or money to waste. Conservation is quickest and cheapest. Renewables—of which solar and wind are being used successfully in other countries and by industry—are rapidly increasing in use.  Wind power is cheaper than nuclear power.

Why shouldn’t we demand that our tax subsidies, so readily handed out for nuclear- and fossil-fueled energy, be used instead for real solutions to the problems ahead?

You may go to www.nuclearcrossroads.org/secondreport.htm to read the nuclear transportation report.

— Lewis E. Patrie, Chair
WNC Physicians for Social Responsibility
Asheville