MWP 2 First Draft

 

Landon Williams

MWP 2 First Draft

DiPrince English 10

Mar. 14 2011

            Imagine in 2020 Pueblo, Co once a thriving region for argiculture now a residing desolate plataeu landscaped with industrial entities. Cement Plant, two  power plants, chemical depot, along with a newly built nuclear plant finalizing the devastation. What was thought to be an impeccable idea stimulating local economies and providing a 1,000 jobs it didn’t work so well after all. The Nuclear plant consumed all of Pueblo county's water causing soil to dry and the idea of a 1,000 jobs was great but it took away the same amount and farmers who have farmed their entire lives now have no way of making living. 

          Through research I have found significant information on the opposing sides pertaining to the proposal of a Nuclear Power Plant in Pueblo, Co. People who are for the construction of this plant believe it is vital for future electric energy growth and microeconomics for Pueblo. This proposal devised by local Puebloan lawyer Don Banner envisions a nuclear powerplant being built southeast of pueblo, which would be on 24,000 acres between the towns of Avondale and Fowler, south of Highway 50. In an article I read titled “Nuclear plant proposed for Pueblo County”(2011), Chris Woodka asserted that Don Banner has strong aspirations to erect a nuclear plant southeast of Pueblo, which could produce 3,000 megawatt’s of energy, his attempt to fill the nation’s energy gap and help the community as well. Along with a nuclear plant, the plan is for solar power and wind power. The facility is being proposed by a group called Puebloans For Energizing Our Community. The site would create 2,500-5,000 construction jobs over about five years when the plant was being built; 400 to 700 permanent jobs at power site; and up to 1,000 jobs off-site for the community. He said the facility would also boost area property values. So their feelings are that this nuclear plant could significantly stimulate the Pueblo economy and create a substantial number of jobs in a dire time. It all sounds great but opposer's feel differently. The nuclear plant poses great threat to local  agriculture. Pueblo Native Suzanne Morgan said "Once the farm economy is compromised it will be impossible to re-establish. We need long-term strategic thinking and policies to protect local agriculture and our food supply." Pueblo's farmlands are in an ideal region, with rich soil, good water, long growing season made for sucessful farming. If built the nuclear plant would be constructed very close to these farms causing deprivation of water. Nuclear energy consumes huge amounts of water and the Arkansas River is already over used. Locals feel it unreasonable and a poor use of resources to locate a nuclear power plant in an arid region. It could potentially dry up the region. Farming is a big part of Pueblo culture, to take it away would be like taking down the statue of liberty to build a hilton. There comes a point where our society needs to stop and think why we are here and how are country is one of the most prestigous countries to ever take rule. United states was founded on a compilation of ethics and morales but greed has diminished the meanings of these virtues.