Guest opinion column: Nuclear power projects aren't embraced by all
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STATE SEN. JACK HATCH, D-Des Moines, represents District 33 in the Iowa Senate. The district covers central Des Moines and includes the Sherman Hill, Drake, East Village, River Bend and north-side Parks neighborhoods. He can be reached at 281-3371 weekdays, 208-5414 outside the Statehouse, or by e-mail at jack.hatch@legis.state.ia.us .
In the coming weeks, we will be discussing an old, worn-out energy policy: nuclear power.
Senate File 390 is proposed legislation relating to permitting, licensing, constructing and operating nuclear generation facilities. Even though Senate File 390 was approved by the Commerce Committee, another subcommittee meeting was held on the subject this week at the Statehouse.
The bill states that nuclear electric power generation is needed in Iowa, and that nuclear generation has a long-term proven record of providing a safe, reliable and secure source of electricity.
Senate File 390 is proposed legislation relating to permitting, licensing, constructing and operating nuclear generation facilities. Even though Senate File 390 was approved by the Commerce Committee, another subcommittee meeting was held on the subject this week at the Statehouse.
The bill states that nuclear electric power generation is needed in Iowa, and that nuclear generation has a long-term proven record of providing a safe, reliable and secure source of electricity.
Supporters claim that nuclear power offers the potential for significant job creation, substantial economic development benefits, and the production of electricity at significantly reduced levels of regulated air emissions when compared to output from other thermal generation sources. This contention is not universally accepted. And I am one of the skeptics.
According to MidAmerican Energy's annual report, Iowa has some of the most competitive utility rates in the country. In a Feb. 28 Des Moines Register article, Warren Buffet, whose company owns Des Moines-based MidAmerican, compares Iowa's rates to Nebraska's. Nebraskans pay more than 12 cents per kilowatt hour, while Iowans with MidAmerican are paying 8.24 cents per kilowatt hour. Buffet has invested more than $5 billion in Iowa wind energy, a growing industry that now produces about 20 percent of our energy needs.
According to MidAmerican Energy's annual report, Iowa has some of the most competitive utility rates in the country. In a Feb. 28 Des Moines Register article, Warren Buffet, whose company owns Des Moines-based MidAmerican, compares Iowa's rates to Nebraska's. Nebraskans pay more than 12 cents per kilowatt hour, while Iowans with MidAmerican are paying 8.24 cents per kilowatt hour. Buffet has invested more than $5 billion in Iowa wind energy, a growing industry that now produces about 20 percent of our energy needs.
I've been reviewing how nuclear power development has impacted the residents of other states. In Florida, for example, the residents have realized overall increases in energy rates as a result of the added cost of producing nuclear power. I am opposed to the rate payers in Iowa picking up the cost of developing nuclear power.
It's not the average Iowan who supports exploring nuclear power in our state. Backing for the initiative comes from power companies and big business, all of which stand to realize substantial profits. Those of us who don't want rate increases and are skeptical of nuclear power's environmental impact are against Senate File 390.
It's not the average Iowan who supports exploring nuclear power in our state. Backing for the initiative comes from power companies and big business, all of which stand to realize substantial profits. Those of us who don't want rate increases and are skeptical of nuclear power's environmental impact are against Senate File 390.
