Ensuring nuclear safety raises plant costs

Thank you for your coverage of the rising costs of new nuclear power plants, which detailed the enormous cost overruns at the nuclear plants currently under construction (“Building costs rise at nuclear sites,” July 15).

The article confirms that nuclear power is too costly and too risky for Iowa. The more we try to make it safe, the more expensive it gets. It is time to say no to any new nuclear power plants once and for all.

The better option is homegrown renewable energy. Recently, more than 30 businesses and organizations proposed Iowa Renewable Energy Jobs 2020 to create 20,000 jobs and save Iowa consumers billions of dollars each year. Wind, solar, biomass, biogas, geothermal, energy efficiency - these are all things that are being deployed right here in Iowa without any risk of financial or environmental catastrophe.

Mike Carberry

Director, Green State Solutions

Iowa City