A recent Purdue study raises concerns about nuclear energy’s environmental impact in Northwest Indiana
Nancy Moldenhauer, a local councilperson and environmental advocate, voiced her concerns. She pointed out that while nuclear energy is cleaner than coal, it still poses risks. The nuclear waste can last for millions of years, which is pretty scary when you think about future generations.
The study looked at several sites, including a coal plant in Michigan City, and found that small nuclear reactors could be a good fit for Indiana. However, Moldenhauer believes the Michigan City site is too populated and dangerous for such a project.
NIPSCO, the local utility company, is in the process of shutting down its coal plants and exploring cleaner energy options. They’ve been looking into solar and wind energy, but when it comes to small nuclear reactors, they haven’t received any proposals yet.
Kerwin Olson from the Citizens Action Coalition is also against the push for nuclear power in Indiana. He argues that nuclear energy is risky and expensive, and he’s worried about the waste it generates. He believes that the costs of building these reactors would fall on taxpayers.
Olson and others are concerned about using contaminated sites for nuclear energy. They argue that it’s not a smart move to mix toxic coal ash with radioactive waste.
Susan Thomas, another advocate, thinks the focus should be on renewable energy sources like solar power, which are cheaper and better for the environment. She feels that the community is being misled into thinking they have to choose between jobs and health.
Moldenhauer and Thomas both urge residents to stay informed and get involved in local government decisions. They believe it’s crucial for the community to voice their concerns before any decisions are made. Now is the time to act, they say, to ensure that the future of Northwest Indiana is safe and healthy.
