We all care about the same things. And nuclear power is what we need to get them.

Originally posted on Santa Maria Times

Now is the time to talk about common values. I don't know anyone who would choose to drink polluted water, or who wants to live next to a coal-fired power plant and have dust continually coat their belongings and their lungs.

I don't know anyone who enjoys living with asthma or smog. I don't know anyone who is willing and able to give up their energy used for refrigeration of food and heating of water. I've never talked to someone who would choose to keep a fellow human being in poverty.

No one has admitted to me that they think high-paying stable jobs are not good for our economy. No one that I talk with says that energy security and improved infrastructure are bad things. So, it turns out we all want the same things – we want to use enough resources to have a high quality of life, but also protect nature and our health.

These things are not mutually exclusive. But we need to examine all our options without bias. Nuclear needs to be a large part of the solution. Yes, we can innovate and improve our technology for the future, but right now, nuclear is the only non-emitting source of 24/7 electricity.

We should be doing everything in our power to protect our existing nuclear. Nuclear power is clean – there are virtually no emissions, and lifecycle carbon is lowest of all sources. Nuclear has a very small land footprint – this preserves open space and protects wildlife. Nuclear jobs are the best jobs. Nuclear stabilizes the electric grid. Nuclear waste is contained in small volume, not hurting anyone or anything. Nuclear power plants contribute billions to their local economies and communities. Nuclear is power for the people, and power for the planet.

By Heather Hoff

San Luis Obispo