Yesterday there was a letter in the Miami Herald about how great Nukes are for economic opportunity. The letter was written by Chirsty Todd Whitman and Mayor of Homestead Steve Bateman.
I wrote about Christine Todd Whitman in 2007. She is nothing more than a paid booster for the nuclear industry but she signs her letter former EPA administrator as if this is some sort of official position, she hasn't been there for 10 years. She now heads her energy greenwash group (never saw so many "green" photos on a website since Sierra Club) Whitman Strategy Group.
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| From Todd Whitman's website, kind of clever even though nauseating. |
I spoke to a Councilperson in the City of Homestead, who said the City has no official position on nuclear energy, or the FPL expansion and that Bateman is not speaking on behalf of the city on such subjects (wasn't he also at the FPL hearing at the County Commission the other day in support of zoning changes for FPL? Did the city vote to support the zoning changes? No).
When did the City of Homestead vote "that nuclear energy is a vital part of both Florida and our nation's energy and economic future"? Did they vote to say that "This is an exciting period of growth and progress in nuclear energy..." Exactly who in Homestead supports the views articulated in the letter?
13 comments:
At least Bateman is honest about the support. Commissioner Bell is lining up all of South Dade for FPL. Cindy Lerner is fighting hard, but only South Miami, Coral Gables and the City of Miami have joined in the fight. The rest are either pro-nukes or hiding under their beds.
If what you write is true, then why did Bateman go to the Miami Dade County Commission as mayor, and represent his 100 percent support for new nuclear at Homestead? Shouldn't he be reprimanded by the city commission ?
Whitman has a place at Ocean Reef. Wouldn't you think she would have a good view of what sea level rise is going to do to the rate base of South Florida? Wonder how she squares that with support for FPL nuclear at Turkey Point. Guess it must be the green.
The elected officials of Cutler Bay, Palmetto Bay, Florida City and Homestead need to stand up for the future of our County. Thank you Pinecrest, South Miami, Coral Gables and City of Miami for your leadership on this issue.
Second Anon - good question I wrote about that in the article, second paragraph.
He is too stupid to know better, but I guess a reprimand would be in order. He also needs an ethics course. You can't testify at a hearing unless he said before hand it is his opinion, he is not representing his city. I doubt he said that.
While pollutants going into the atmosphere are less than fossil fuel (assuming no nuclear contamination), heat is still a byproduct, as well as tremendous water usage. It makes little sense to spend billions of dollars on upgrading and expanding the nuclear plants. The funds would be better spent on wind, solar, tidal, geothermal alternate energy.
Paid lobbyists and local mouthpieces should not be listened to.jeflagi895
Mayors Cindy Lerner and Philip Stoddard are to be commended for their outstanding leadership on the FPL issue, but this fight will not be successful until the mayors of the other stakeholder cities contribute actual resources to the lawsuit. Where are the elected officials from Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay, Florida City and Homestead? It is clear that we have mayor Bateman on one side versus Stoddard and Lerner on the other. The others need to get off the fence and advocate for our quality of life.
It is hard to be an elected official. Sometimes you have to take a position that not everyone agrees with. There is no middle ground in the FPL nuke fight. You are either engaged in the fight against, support the project, or worst of all, a political coward hiding under your bed.
Steve Bateman should be voted out for a number of reasons. This is a disagreement of philosophy. How about good old corruption and greed being enough to get ya going ?
Here's what I sent to the Herald yesterday:
In the Reader Forum “Nuclear energy can lead to economic opportunities”, former EPA administrator Christine Todd Whitman and Homestead Mayor Steve Bateman missed another economic upside to nuclear power: nothing makes new jobs like a nuclear accident. As Fukushima continues its uncontrolled radiation release, the prefecture has become a “hot” travel destination for scientists and curious visitors who roam the streets with Geiger counters, posting to their Facebook pages the latest radioactive cesium levels detected in sidewalk cracks. New jobs abound for laborers who scrape and bag the radioactive topsoil in school playgrounds. Hotels are filled with government scientists and nuclear technicians puzzling about failed nuclear containment. In my recent tour of the Turkey Point nuclear facility, I saw excellent protection against windstorms but less than convincing protection from storm driven seas (by the way, Hurricane Andrew's peak surge missed TPN). Shift. Last time I checked, energy conservation makes more jobs per dollar than nuclear power, and more watts per dollar than nuclear power. Ditto solar. So what’s this talk about job creation from nuclear power generation upwind of 2 million people, between two national parks, in a hurricane scoured coastal wetland slated for inundation by sea level rise?
Anonymous above the Stoddard comment: This is not a difference of philosophy. You cannot take a stand and speak for your city without a vote. For example, if Steve Bateman wrote a letter supporting scrapping the 2nd amendment that is fine under his name but not when he includes the words Mayor of Homestead. Then it appears it is the view of the government. If they voted on that, then fine. His city is close to the nuclear plant, he has to ask before he goes around town supporting nukes and becoming a booster for nukes. Christie Todd Whitman is BEING PAID to do this shilling for the industry. What is Bateman's excuse?
Lynda Bell is against abortion. She can be - but not if she signs a letter against it as Vice Chair of the County Commission.
Genius - please note a key distinction here:
the City Commission of South Miami has come out firmly and officially against development of nuclear power infrastructure in South Florida. Further, the Commission authorized me to represent the City of South Miami publicly on such matters.
Thank you Mayor Stoddard that might help our readers understand.
I agree Genius. Thank you Mayors Stoddard and Lerner. It takes guts and principle to step forward and take a stand. These two need the support of the Mayors of Cutler Bay and Palmetto Bay. Where are they in this fight? Stop being gutless.
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