The bronze age required bronze; the iron utilized iron.
Living in the electronic age takes a lot of electricity.
Yet there seems to be an urge to live in denial of this. Across Missouri, an attitude persists that opposes the construction of new power plants.
The Missouri Senate has been consumed this year with a bill involving Ameren’s construction of a nuclear power plant in east central Missouri. The bill would allow Ameren — and all utilities — to recoup costs of building new plants during construction. Current law postpones any rate increases until customers are actually using the power.
The issue is so hot that during a recent visit to Jefferson City, I saw TV advertisements urging passage.
As utility customers try to bear the weight of constantly rising rates, the bill does raise concerns that should be debated. But these genuine issues are being used to create opposition because many people do not want new power plants, especially of the nuclear variety.
That’s all well and good and there are valid reasons why you wouldn’t want a nuclear reactor in your backyard. But the Amish — some of the most productive citizens of Northwest Missouri — are about the only ones in a position to oppose all new power plants.
A new plant is now under construction in Platte County. Instead of nerdy nuclear, it is conventional coal powered. Despite assurances from KCP&L the plant will be state-of-the-art in meeting environmental standards, that project has drawn fire from people worried about air pollution.
Green energy is generating lots of warm fuzzies as the environmentally friendly way to fuel our insatiable desire for electricity. Another wind farm will be sprouting in DeKalb County, as revealed last week. At this rate, every hillside in Northwest Missouri will soon be sporting a turbine.
Until we graduate into the solar-and-hydrogen age, the need for electricity will continue to grow. In the near term, Missouri must have reliable energy to attract and support industry.
In this part of the state, we’re pleased to see wind power take off, but recognize that it does not hold all the answers. Nor does the johnny-one-note message of environmentalists just to use less energy. A nice place to start, but it’s only the beginning.
Coal plants have a proven track record of productivity. Nuclear power’s efficiency and clean qualities make it a valuable resource, and Missouri does itself no favors to shut the door on this form of energy.
It takes a lot of kilowatts to power the electronic age and fear should not be used to keep the state in the dark.
