Dear Editor:
In respect to my last letter, I would like to amend my statement that nuclear energy is the cleanest and cheapest means of producing energy.
My investigation reveals that gas is the cheapest and will be for some time and next comes coal. My research also shows that nuclear isn't affordable at the current time, which explains why private markets won't invest in it. I should have checked this out prior to issuing my letter.
If I'm to be labeled a liberal, so be it. A definition of a liberal to me is "a broad-minded person, tolerant of different views and standards of behavior in others." Apparently there are those who are not bent in that shape, and that's their prerogative.
As for coal being vilified, apparently the Sierra Club believes that coal being utilized by Ameren's coal burning power plants is the culprit behind air-quality violations. The club has informed Ameren that they plan to sue the utility to enforce provisions of the federal Clean Air Act. Additionally, Westinghouse and Ameren recently lost out on nuclear reactor funding. The fear here is that Ameren will use that as an excuse to close their coal plants and build very expensive nuclear plants that they can not afford.
It doesn't take an Einstein to determine who'll be tapped to pay for these plants, you and me, the consumer the tax payers. The MPSC in the past has given Ameren what they have requested, ignoring our pleas, and will continue to do so in the future.
Ask me if I trust Ameren and the MPSC, and my response - absolutely no.