The Public Info Commitee submitted a response to the Matthew Auer August 21 opinion piece from the Charlotte Observer entitled: “Nuclear power plants offer one-stop shopping for terrorists.” This is a great example of the Carolina NA-YGN speaking out and engaging the public. Click the link below to read our full submission and also see what the Observer published.
Full submission to the Observer:
Although it is important for the U.S. to develop renewable technologies, it is also important to develop a diverse energy portfolio in order to ensure a sustainable and secure energy mix. Nuclear energy meets this goal by providing a largely-scaleable, low emission, and secure method of generating electricity.
Currently, 27 nuclear plants are under construction in 11 countries. Each nuclear plant in operation displaces significant amounts of greenhouse gasses, which know no political boundaries. The decision to build nuclear plants is a benefit to the environment regardless of what other countries are doing.
The infrastructure necessary to process nuclear material for use in an atomic weapon is immense, with few nations in the world possessing the capability. Theft or diversion of U.S. nuclear fuel is virtually impossible. Furthermore, nuclear plants are the most secure industrial facilities in the U.S. Studies have concluded that nuclear plants would be less attractive as terrorist targets because of the industry’s robust security program.
The following was published in the Monday, August 21 Letters to the Editor:
Nuclear plant security is deterrent to terrorists
The writer represents the Carolina Chapter of North American Young Generation in Nuclear (NA-YGN).
In response to “Nuclear power plants offer one-stop shopping for terrorists” (Aug. 21 Viewpoint):
Few nations possess the immense infrastructure necessary to process nuclear material for use in an atomic weapon.
Theft or diversion of U.S. nuclear fuel is virtually impossible. Furthermore, nuclear plants are the most secure industrial facilities in the U.S. Studies have concluded that nuclear plants would be less attractive to terrorist targets because of the industry’s robust security program.
