Put nuclear technology to use

It is time for the people of Idaho to take a hard look at nuclear energy and what it could mean to the state.

Since the 1970s, Idaho has been at the forefront of nuclear technology. During the cold war, the area around Idaho Falls now known as Idaho National Laboratories was a world leader in nuclear technology. At one time, more than 52 separate reactors were in operation on the Idaho desert. Now there are but three left.

The emphases in this area has now switched to the clean up of these unused reactors and the waste which has been generated by these and other nuclear work around the country.

While the Department of Energy has been doing a great job with this cleanup, this technology will be soon be lost to Idaho and an opportunity of a lifetime missed.

At the present time, much technology still exists in Idaho as well as a cadre of trained personnel who could be utilized to build nuclear reactors for commercial uses.

Nuclear energy is still one of the safest and least expensive of all known energy sources. The United States must take advantage of this important energy source before it is too late. At the present time there are only 102 commercial reactors under construction with 52 more under consideration. None are in Idaho. We need to move before its too late.

BRUCE WENDLE

Sagle