CASEnergy Member Pens Op-Ed Supporting Nuclear in Des Moines Register
Carolyn Heising, professor of industrial, mechanical and nuclear engineering at Iowa State University, penned an op-ed titled “New nuclear plants power economy, too,” published February 4, 2010 in the Des Moines Register. In the opinion piece, Heising cites President Obama’s support for the expansion of nuclear power in his first State of the Union address and underscores that “a strong jump-start from the government will be required” to “give nuclear power’s revival a chance of success.” Heising discusses the fact that building new plants will help the United States meet its growing energy needs while benefiting the nation’s struggling economy in the process.
Heising highlight’s the job creation potential of a nuclear renaissance, stating: “Building new plants generates jobs, provides an economic stimulus and is a key source of revenue for government at all levels. It’s estimated that a nuclear power plant requires about 1,800 jobs during construction, plus 400 to 700 jobs during the operation of the plant. Construction of a plant generates three times as many jobs in nearby communities and generates about $430 million a year in economic output and $40 million a year in labor income.”
Please click here to comment on Heising’s op-ed and to voice your support for nuclear energy.