Commissioners will openly debate nuclear plant rezone request June 8

I for one wish the commissioners the best of luck as they make an important decision on the future of nuclear power in the state of Idaho. It will be a difficult decision to make - with two sides to the issue as with any important change to the "status quo". We are all energy users - and that energy has to come from somewhere. Because of the emissions caused by commonly used materials to produce our energy, we must seek out another avenue to keep our air clean. Wind power, hydro, solar - all are clean energy - but unfortunately are expensive and not very reliable 24/7, and alone cannot supply our nations needs.

As we look at the rest of the world we see many countries that rely heavily on nuclear power - and have done so for many years without problems.The new generation of reactors are much improved over those put in place many years ago -and, as such, they are much more efficient, safer and can produce the needed energy for this country. Many other countries that have never had nuclear power are also in the process of requesting and building new reactors to supply energy for such things as changing salt water to something that is safe for human consumption - as well as for growing badly needed food sources.

Some groups continue to "bad mouth" the nuclear power industry as nothing more than someone wanting to "make lots of money for themselves". Not all bad - is this not the American Dream?? To have a good job, so that you can enjoy some of the good things in life for yourself and your families?? The company is owned by its INVESTORS, not the officers and board members that run it.

I have been an investor in utility companies for many years - some of them even have nuclear generators - and I have found that by reading the annual reports, which gives us some idea of what is done with the money generated - that these utilities are very good about giving back to the communities where they are located. Besides the obvious return of tax dollars to the state and local governments (here insert Elmore County) they are very committed to the community. Many people from the local area are employed at the utility. Some claim that the jobs only go to the well educated - not true. Even if it only were to provide for 50 or 100 new jobs - that is 50 or 100 more families that have an income to survive these trying economic times. The proposed AEHI plant is projected to create many more jobs than 50 or 100. Having more power available also attracts new industry to the state,thus more jobs for residents. I have read about the many contributions that are made by these companies - to schools, playgrounds for children, community buildings, scholarships for kids wanting to go to college - the list is endless - all coming from the profits that are generated by the sale of the energy produced. And, of course, investors are repaid for their contributions that allowed the company to begin by a little thing called dividends on the stock they may have purchased in the past - allowing them a better life and hopefully a good retirement - again, the American Dream. I continually read about the problems that Mountain Home and Elmore County are faced with and cannot fix because of a lack of funds. If you treat your utility well, they in return will treat you well -it goes without saying.

Again, I hope that the County Commissioners have the courage to make the right decisions about the proposed land use change needed to bring about a new power plant. I also hope they have the strength to stand up to the "nay-sayers" that are out to obstruct anything that they can, and do what is in the best interests of all county members and the State of Idaho.

Respectfully, CONTACTMOUNTAINMAN

I couldn't agree more with mountainman. This is a great chance for our county financially, and for the residents. I hope that there is some economic benefit for the local residents i.e. reduced utility charges etc. We need to not look a gift horse in the mouth, because rest assured there are communities out there that would love to have the chance that we do. What if the base isnt always here to support this town. Mtn. Home was fortunate in this economy with jobs on base, and that the military has kept the real estate market breathing and our home values havent dropped like in Boise.....

This more than sort of stinks. First, the CC's tried to ban any comment on nuclear disasters because they were going to make a 2 part decision. Step one was to innocently see if switching Ag zoning to Industrial would be fuzzyOK. Step 2 was only if they "innocently" decided that "might" be OK to rezone, then they would take public comment on nuclear disasters from the specifics of AEHI's plans.

I have seen no decision on step one, and all of a sudden the Commissioners will hold a master-debate on nuclear power, with only their own opinions being discussed! They already claimed they had been refusing to look at nuclear problem information, so now they will pull their heads out of the sand, yet be the only sources of information. Wanna bet they were spoon fed Gillispie pie-in-the-sky "Nuclear 101" DVD misinformation?

The AEHI ringers in disguise have already posted their pep rally preaching. What a surprise to see contactmountainman and idahogrinder beating the AEHI drum. Almost like the AEHI people knew ths news bomb was coming to seal the deal for the Anything-for-money" crowd...Peter

Idahogrinder,

Where will our property values go once there is a reactor in our backyard? You tout the base as the source of our 'prosperity' in these times of economic downturn, what if the military decides they no longer want a base in close proximity to this reactor? They may decide that they don't want to deal with the loss of usable airspace that will result from this reactor being built, (aircaft will avoid this area due to the potential of an accident)at the very least it will limit the low level operations of the fighters. I don't think a that a couple of bucks a month savings on my electric bill is worth the risk.

I would ask the first two posters here, Are you concerned that most of the economic claims made by the developer are exaggerated?

I will not debate nuclear versus other forms because that is not my forte. I have spent the time and done the research to find that the probability that these claims will be met is next to zero. Yes, jobs will be created and all of the indirect benefits will be accrued. The catch is that all of the benefits are overstated and the costs understated. As long as the public knows this, it is their decision to go ahead with this or not.

Jtrotter, I'm sure you are well aware of the fact that the base has struggled in the past just to pay it's power bill, so if there is some chance of procuring cheaper power the base will be all for it. I'd also like to point out the fact that the Singapore A.F. signed up to be here for 20-25yrs, and pumped millions into improving existing buildings, so I highly doubt the base will worry about it. Also, there is so much available airspace on the Mtn. Home range complex, that the little they choose not to fly in can be made up elsewhere. And Dr. Negative, I am all about beating the drum for it, the U.S. is going to need power, and I would rather see a clean self sufficiant nuclear power plant than 1 million windmills in the Bennett foothills...Is it going to cost more than they say? Of Course it is, what projects of this magnitude finish under budget? Not many at all. No matter what it will create jobs, and bring revenue to Elmore county...

agreed we need the jobs and economic stability. iI hope the commission puts economic development first and aproves the rezoneing. dr rickards you offend me - just because I want to see the plant I have to be an AEHI bell ringer? so anyone who supports the plant and opposes you is a stooge for the company? to me, this decisoin is getting easier all the time

Hi Wally,

RE: Your complaint "- just because I want to see the plant I have to be an AEHI bell ringer? so anyone who supports the plant and opposes you is a stooge for the company?"

No. There are several "real" locals who favor risking Idaho for the empty promises of AEHI. I saw them at the hearing, and wished I was allowed my Constitutional right to politely hand them some better information. But the Elmore CC's decided leafletting would be criminal, so I obeyed their unAmerican demands.

But you, contactmountainman, idahogrinder, nailpounder, and retired exec all sound like Bruce Wong and Doug McCon with every word you type. You only show up to push AEHI, and all use the same lame talking points.

If I'd seen you posting away on other local issues I might think differently. But contactmountingman's only previous post was to tell me to mind my own business, and Idahogrinder has never before posted that I saw.

But while I can point to DOE documents at www.MyIdahoEnergy.com and say 100% they are accurate bottomline information from the foxes guarding the hen house. I admit you may really be a sincere Walmartgreeter. But it just seems obvious you are an AEHI ringer, ie, insider with another anonymous posting name, beating the drum at the pep rally. Like someone else posted, all the Walmart greeters I have met are friendly, and your previous posts were so angry and bitter, sota like a guy who was suckered into buying AEHI stock and lost his money. Gotta call'em like I see'em...Peter

Have you seen the list of "INVESTORS" by chance? Some are the BOD. Check their first SEC filing and look at their current SEC filing. That tells the tale CMM. Buyer beware on this deal. Most involved with this company have been paid with stock...and AEHI is just about broke...OUT OF MONEY! Yep, they will build with safety in mind I am sure with NO MONEY!!!!