Jim Harrison, President of Local 223 UWUA testified on Dec. 15, 2011 at a public meeting on the draft environmental impact study for the proposed Fermi 3 Power Plant.

Here is Jim testimony – “My name is James Harrison, and I currently serve as President, Local 223 of the Utility Workers Union of America. I have the honor and privilege to represent the hard working men and women who safely and efficiently operate and maintain the Fermi 2 Power Station.

“I am here to provide comment and to inform you that the Utility Workers support moving forward with the licensing process.

“Pricing schemes and regulatory oversight for greenhouse gas emissions are increasingly becoming a reality as more countries look to ensure reduction targets, but so does the opportunity for volatility of natural gas prices.

“We believe that nuclear power fits into a portfolio of power generation that also includes conventional and renewable generation. Nuclear power must be a key energy component to reduce dependency on foreign fuel sources, as well as meeting state and federal emission reduction targets.

“The Utility Workers also comment that for nuclear energy to expand, the public must trust the nuclear industry. It must trust reactor owners to run their reactors safely. The public must trust regulators to ensure there is adequate oversight. And, it must trust reactor designers to create new reactors that do not share the vulnerabilities of older ones. A sober and careful assessment for all new construction must be done to recognize and correct any deficiencies in the industry’s approach to construction, environment and safety both long-term and short-term to ensure the highest standards are met.”