The re-establishment of a nuclear power plant at the Holtec site should be seriously considered. The dangers of nuclear power plants have been exaggerated, although to be sure. they do exist. However, as we have discovered, electricity produced by fossil fuels carries its own high risks. As critics have pointed out, solar and wind-generated electricity is not always available at times of high demand, and the problem of large-scale storage of electric power has not yet been solved.
I think nuclear power, which is available on demand, has to be part of the energy solution for the foreseeable future. In addition, some part of the Holtec site could also be set aside for beta testing of electrical storage possibilities. For example, one idea which has been suggested is the pumping “uphill” of water using wind- or solar-generated electricity, to be released “downhill” through turbines to generate electricity when needed. The Pilgrim plant depended on pumping large quantities of seawater for cooling purposes, so some of the infrastructure may already exist.
There is no method of generation which is completely benign environmentally. I think nuclear needs a second look.
– Donald G. Ross