Background: The South Carolina Hispanic Chamber of Commerce promotes and supports the advancement of the economic growth of Hispanic businesses in South Carolina, providing leadership and serving as a bridge between community leaders, different cultures, and the community at large. Evelyn Lugo is the President of the South Carolina Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and represents the organization’s membership with the CASEnergy Coalition. Ms. Lugo is originally from Puerto Rico, and also serves as the Hispanic/Latino Outreach Coordinator for the American Cancer Society.

CASEnergy Involvement: “The South Carolina Hispanic Chamber recognizes the significant positive impact nuclear energy can have on South Carolina’s economy.” Member since March 2011

Impact of nuclear in your community: “South Carolina is home to five nuclear energy facilities, which provide us with the electricity we need to power our homes and places of business.”

Impact of nuclear on your organization: “The South Carolina Hispanic Chamber of Commerce believes that competition and innovation in the marketplace are vital to the success of the economy.  Competition and innovation in the energy industry is no different.   By pursuing new technologies, including new nuclear technologies, we help meet rising energy demands and stimulate our local, state, and national economies, allowing us to be more competitive in an increasingly globalized marketplace.”

Most important benefit of nuclear: “Nuclear energy is a sustainable and safe source of electricity and contributes to the growth of the communities and the economy of South Carolina.”

Most interesting nuclear fact: “The nuclear energy industry takes meticulous care of the nation’s facilities and is constantly improving its practices to make these safe facilities even safer.”

A lesson for your community: “It is important that the people in the community understand that nuclear energy is safe.  Nuclear energy facilities are designed to protect the American public, and are subject to oversight by a strong, independent regulator, known as the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).”

If you are a member and interested in sharing your perspective on why nuclear energy matters to you, please let us know!

CASEnergy involvement: “I joined CASEnergy while living in Idaho Falls, a pro-nuclear town where Dr. Patrick Moore spoke in 2007.  Joining the coalition was a no-brainer.” Member since 2009

Impact of nuclear in your community: “In Ohio there are two nuclear reactors providing electricity to meet the state’s energy needs.  However, Ohio still relies on coal to generate 82 percent of the electricity used in the state. Because nuclear has the potential to meet rising energy demands without generating greenhouse gas emissions it is a vital part of America’s clean energy portfolio.”

Most important benefit of nuclear: “Nuclear energy is a cost-efficient source of emission-free electricity.”

Most interesting nuclear fact: “Most people don’t know that the fuel cycle for the nuclear industry directly benefits the solar energy industry. The chemical compound uranium hexafluoride (UF6) is used to enrich the uranium that produces fuel for nuclear reactors. The recovered fluoride is used to make solar cells.”

A lesson for your community: “Most people just flip the switch but don’t think about where the power comes from.  I’d like to make more people aware of the contribution that nuclear energy makes to the nation’s economy.”

Follow Dan: to learn more about Dan’s perspective on nuclear energy follow him @djysrv, or check out his blog, Idaho Samizdat.

In the piece Gonzalez talks about what it’s like to work at the South Texas Project Generating Station, saying “I like the culture of South Texas Project.  It fosters openness, problem-solving, and teamwork…The great thing about the people is that they come from all around the country and all around the world.”

The South Texas Project Generating Station is one of the newest and largest nuclear facilities in the nation, producing “2,700 megawatts of carbon-free electricity” and “providing clean energy to two million Texas homes,” according to its website.

As one of the nearly 60,000 people employed by the nuclear energy industry in the U.S., Gonzalez also talks about lessons he’s learned so far from his career in nuclear and stresses the industry utmost commitment to safety.

“We don’t take risks in the nuclear industry…We don’t care how long it takes.  We do it the right way.  We’re not about speed.  We’re about safety,” he says in the piece.

Hispanic Career World Magazine, launched in 2001, is the recruitment link between Hispanic students and professionals and the employers who seek to hire them. This publication offers career-guidance columns, news, and feature articles that profile Hispanic professionals in all fields.

As a vocal and respected advocate of Michigan’s pristine and heralded Pigeon River Country, David currently serves as a member of the Pigeon River Advisory Council and The Pigeon River Natural Rivers Zoning Board.  He served five years as the President of the Pigeon River Country Association and two years each as the President and Chair, respectively, of the Michigan Wildlife Habitat Foundation and Michigan Trout Unlimited, where he currently serves on Board of Directors and is a past and former member of the Trout Unlimited National Board of Directors.
 
David is an avid fly fisherman and bird hunter.  He spends some of his non-fishing time as a consultant for the State of Michigan visiting licensed youth camps, bringing together his belief in young people and his passion for the outdoors.  

David joined CASEnergy for two primary reasons.  First, he believes nuclear energy is a clean and sustainable energy option that will protect the water and air that is threatened by other forms of energy now used.  Additionally, he strongly contends that, as a nation, we must begin to take positive steps towards energy independence.

These two reasons clearly are at the heart of CASEnergy’s mission, and the Coalition welcomes David as our 2,500 member and the latest individual from the environmental community to support nuclear energy and the work of the Coalition.

Maudine R. Cooper

Throughout her career, her diligent efforts have helped thousands of minorities advance in employment, education, and business ownership in the metropolitan area.  A tireless civic activist, Ms. Cooper is also a devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.