Open Letter to Governor Baker on Modernizing Nuclear Power

October 13, 2015

Dear Governor Baker,

I have been so pleased with the progress you’ve made this year to confront dysfunction within the MBTA and DCF. It is incredible how much room for improvement remains in Massachusetts government.  I am writing now about legislation (Bill S.1965) you introduced to facilitate the delivery of hydroelectric power from Canada in order to comply with CO₂ reduction targets mandated by the Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA) of 2008, particularly in light of the announced 2019 decommissioning of the Pilgrim nuclear power plant.  The GWSA targets CO₂ emissions cuts of 25% from 1990 levels by 2020 and 80% from 1990 levels by 2050.

I hope you succeed in setting an example in Massachusetts for clean energy generation, but I urge you to focus on modernizing nuclear power instead of emphasizing solar, wind, hydro, and other “designer” energy sources that amount to less than 10% of our electricity portfolio. Consider that a single 43-year-old nuclear power plant still supplies Massachusetts with about 20% of our electricity demand. Nuclear power should remain prominent on the energy roadmap towards reliable and affordable energy, lucrative jobs, and energy independence. Unfortunately, I have not heard of any plans to replace the Pilgrim nuclear power plant, much less plans to modernize and expand nuclear power.

Furthermore, nuclear is the only viable technology that could feasibly and quickly supplant fossil fuels as our primary electricity source if Global Warming alarmists are correct about the threat of CO_­2 emissions to society.  Being overly reliant instead on intermittent wind and solar power generation would be a real disservice to future generations.  Aside from the crippling costs, it would require smart meters and an additional brigade of government bureaucrats to devise and run a price and tax structure to match usage with supply. The additional subsidies needed for families unable to afford the higher rates would be compounded by fewer job opportunities and lower pay resulting from the higher costs of doing business in the Bay State.

Please consider a leadership role in the modernization of nuclear power for our state and our country.

Sincerely,

John Lock