Nuclear Power and Waste Recycling in Pennsylvania

Rep. Reichley,
 
Here are some quick ideas for nuclear (pronounced NEW-KLEE-ER – some of our Republican candidates and elected officials still can’t get that correct) energy that you could fight uphill about out there in beautiful Harrisburg.  I am a proponent of many things, including conservative values (thank you for your voting record, by the way), but when energy is discussed I am wholeheartedly a fan of nuclear power. 
 
PA could be a national leader in nuclear power, depending on the ability of our state leaders to be visionary.  Most of the rest of the industrialized and G-8 world already relies very heavily on nuclear power.  Brazil, France and a number of other nations are leaders.  Nuclear energy is carbon free (the environmental crowd loves this fact), efficient, much safer than 20 years ago, and energy provided could far exceed the energy from coal, oil, and the absurd wind and solar ideas.  I’m sure that you are already well-versed in the advantages of nuclear.  However, what disadvantages exist?
 
PA is frightened of nuclear power after the 3-Mile-Island fiasco.  This could be overcome easily by a marketing campaign.  Nuclear energy could become a friend to PA in the minds of utility consumers.  Second, the waste produced is dangerous and not accepted for disposal in many locations.  Correct?  Not really.  Our current trend for recycling is advanced enough that even deadly nuclear waste can be recycled.  PA could lead the nation in spent fuel recycling – creating a major new specialized employer right here in our own state.  Spent fuel rods, waste water, and other by-products of fission could be sent here to be reprocessed by our own citizens.  Such a reprocessing center could provide thousands of jobs for engineers, physicists, management, marketers, truck drivers, security officers, and other Pennsylvanians currently out of work.  The potential for nuclear waste recycling is outlined in the following article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080821213606.htm.
 
Sir, please take a look at this program.  It supports Sen. McCain’s ideas on energy and uses initiatives in his Lexington Plan.  Also, it would aid our state in a dire economic time, provide jobs, taxes, and a new role of leadership for Pennsylvania.  Could you bring this idea to other domestic energy minded Representatives in PA?  I would love to be involved in the effort as well.
 
All the best in your next term as our Representative to the State House.  Congratulations, but let’s get the ball rolling for domestic energy before OPEC gets their ball rolling for high oil prices again.
 
Respectfully,
 
Jay Burkos
Conservative Resistance
www.conservative-resistance.org