Times-Picayune
October 28, 2003

Re: "Nuclear plant pipes seem cracked."

Cracks in pipes that could eventually lead to a catastrophic meltdown of a nuclear reactor core are no small issue. It effectively highlights why Entergy should reconsider its position on developing nuclear energy, taking into account the huge threat to the pubic due to the risk of nuclear plant disasters and the lack of viable, truly safe disposal method for nuclear waste. An accident at a U.S. nuclear power plant could kill more people than were killed by the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki.

Entergy’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gases responsible for global warming is excellent, but we can’t solve one problem by creating another.

The real solution is to promote energy efficiency (greatly reducing energy consumption) and invest in more renewable energy technology, like solar, wind and biomass.

To ensure that a minimum of the energy utilities provide comes from clean, renewable sources, our congressional delegation should insist that the national energy bill includes a renewable energy standard of 10 percent by 2020. Considering Louisiana’s excellent renewable energy resources, such a standard would be good for our environment, economy and consumers.

Micah Walker
Alliance for Affordable Energy
New Orleans