Nuclear energy should be part of WA Gov. Jay Inslee’s clean energy plans | Opinion

Small nuke plants a great solution

Thank you, Gov. Jay Inslee for coming here to announce our new Clean Energy Bill. Just one thing, could we please look at the benefits of new, small, modern, modular nuclear power plants? It’s the New Green!

One plant, about the size of a double-wide, could power Moses Lake, a plant that makes fertilizer from the air or makes hydrogen fuel. After about a century of zero-carbon 24/7 power, one can park the whole thing in a Yucca Mountain. A century!

Unlike solar panels, the modern plants are all U.S. made. As for waste, eroded wind turbine blades do not rot or recycle. Over a century, the plants will have far less landfill footprint. Modern nuclear is also a real 24/7 power replacement option for hydro.

The new, modern, modular, nuclear power plants deserve the label of “green” and “clean” and earn a place in our Washington’s zero carbon plans (Bills 1146, 5-447, 1181, 1176, 5165, 1216)! With elections coming up, we all need to write to our reps in Olympia. Wake them up to the advantages of nuclear power and ask them to bring the vision of clean power into the 24th century. Please do so today.

Matthew Ruane, Richland

California sets lousy example

Gov. Jay Inslee is proud of his program to electrify Washington state and restrict fossil fuel use. By 2035, all new car sales are to be electric or hydrogen. Recent state building code changes for new construction will require electric heat pumps and water heaters, instead of natural gas-fired units.

This electrification of transportation and buildings will create significant additional demand for electrical supply, but demand is to be met entirely by increased production of clean, “affordable” energy.

With all of this, Washington is following the lead of that trail blazing state, California. So, how is that electrification program working for Californians?

Well, if you ask California electric ratepayers, not well!

Recent Energy Information Agency data (https://www.eia.gov/electricity/state/) show that in 2021, California had the highest retail electrical rates of the Lower 48 States, at 19.7 cents/kwh (as opposed to 8.8 cents/kwh in this state, and an average of 9.2 cents/kwh for all other western states).

Since 1999, California’s rates have increased three times as fast as rates in the rest of the U.S. And there have been more blackouts and brownouts in recent years.

What makes our pols think Washington’s experience in the coming years will be different?

Richard Engelmann, Richland

Financial literacy is group’s goal

ATFA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is seeking support in spreading the word about their Financial Chapter program.

This program is designed to provide practical financial knowledge to high school students, empowering them to make informed decisions about their money and their future. It is run entirely by high school students, for high school students and has already made a significant impact on the lives of many students in the Tri-Cities area. Financial Chapter has been successful in Southridge High School, with over 150 registered members.

The program provides free financial education to high school students in a multi-platform instructional environment. We believe that financial literacy is a crucial life skill that all students should have access to.

They are not asking for any money or donations, only support in spreading the word about their program.

Ashwin Joshi, Kennewick