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+ FollowNuclear Report: Impact on Minority Communities
In his State of the Union address, President Obama laid out his vision for a “future where we’re in control of our own energy, and our security and prosperity aren’t so tied to unstable parts of the world.” On the heels of this declaration, the Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future released its final report “detailing comprehensive recommendations for creating a safe, long-term solution for managing and disposing of the nation’s spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste.” Nuclear waste management appears to be a vital part of the Obama Administration’s effort to harness America’s domestic energy potential.
Black elected officials from across the country agree that nuclear energy is a key component of our country’s energy equation. In late 2009, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (“NBCSL”), an organization of more than 600 state legislators, adopted a resolution encouraging the Administration to be more assertive in its pursuit of a nuclear energy agenda. What’s more, the organization expressly supported the “creation of a National Blue Ribbon Commission to provide long term policy guidance for used fuel recycling and eventual disposal.”
According to Georgia State Rep. Calvin Smyre, Chair of NBCSL’s Foundation, “nuclear energy can benefit our communities in a variety of ways. It can improve health outcomes by being a clean energy source, reduce consumers’ energy bills, and serve as the kind of job creator we so desperately need right now.”
Of the recommendations included in the Blue Ribbon Commission report, several have special significance to minority communities:
- Greater protections for the underserved
- The Commission proposed the creation of a new government agency to administer and oversee nuclear waste management programs, thus providing extra protection from accidents and a voice for underserved communities.
- For low-income people, who pay a disproportionate part of their income each month on energy services, the agency would offer new levels of transparency and accountability to ensure that the money consumers pay toward nuclear waste disposal goes toward that purpose.
- Keen focus on geographic disposal and consolidated storage facilitates
- The Commission recommended that nuclear waste siting be merit-based and included a combination of communities volunteering to host new storage or disposal sites. The waste management organization would identify prime siting locations.
- Because the government will not allow nuclear waste sites to be imposed on a community without its informed consent, minority communities will not be arbitrarily selected for storage and disposal.
- Workforce development opportunities
- The Commission supports continued innovation and workforce development in the nuclear sector, which provides some of the highest paying jobs in the country, creates opportunities for more job growth and provides substantial economic benefits for minorities.
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9 Responses to Nuclear Report: Impact on Minority Communities
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Summer says:
I welcome a nuclear power plant into my community. We have an abundance of eager to learn, eager to work folks. We will gladly support a nuclear power plant if it means JOBS JOBS JOBS!"
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Sharon says:
Finally someone is giving the minority community notice before it is used as a dumping ground. I am tired of waking up and seeing new power lines or dump sites without having an opportunity to voice my opinion. Giving me notice and an opportunity to be heard is very important to me.
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Marie Graham says:
I support any recommendation that is going to lead to more jobs. Our unemployment rates are too high!!
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Moore says:
"I'm glad to see some common sense recommendations being put on the table about the sustainability of nuclear energy. When you consider how much energy it takes on a daily basis to keep this country moving ahead it becomes clear that nuclear energy must be a part of our energy equation."
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brian says:
I think that ensuring the proper storage of nuclear waste is very important, but do we really need a new agency? I am not in favor of watching government grow any larger. I hope that we can get the oversight that we need without developing a new layer of government. Bigger is not better
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Charlener says:
“Finally… a fair examination of nuclear energy. I’ve skimmed the report and it’s right on point. If we follow the recommendations in the report I think we will be one step closer to the energy independence we so desperately need. God Bless America!”
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Having a nuclear power plant next door does not automatically translate into jobs for black workers. Two examples: Grand Gulf Nuclear Station in Port Gibson, MS (84.4% black) and the Vogtle Nuclear Plant in mostly African American Shell Bluff community in Waynesboro, GA (70.7% black). More than 31.3% of Port Gibson population (compared to 21.2% for the state of MS) fell below the poverty line and 31.4% of Waynesboro residents (compared to 15.7% for GA) were in poverty. Nationally, 13.8 percent of Americans fall below the poverty line. No economic renainance to the black communities that host power plants.
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As the rest of the nation moves toward clean, green, renewable energy, “dirty” and “risky” energy is being pushed in people of color communities. I call it, “talking clean and acting dirty.” We should be demanding our fair stake in the green economy future—where safe, clean, renewable energy is the way forward. We should not settle for or allow risky nuclear power or dirty coal plants to be dumped on our communities. Just because people are poor or unemployed does not mean that they should accept greater health and environmental risks.
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I hope the administration and Congress take these recos to heart! My cousin was out of work for a 18mos after college, but was finally able to get a job at the Virgil C. Summer Nuclear site in SC. It is a very good paying job WITH benefits! We need more opportunities for our community like this!