Guest commentary: Used nuclear fuel is a good energy source

Tue, Dec 13, 2011

Ever since the government banned its use in the recycling of used nuclear fuel nearly 35 years ago, “reprocessing” has been a dirty word. Many nuclear scientists and engineers, however, believe a new commitment to reprocessing is the key to solving the nuclear waste problem and ushering in a new generation of advanced power reactors. Hundreds of nuclear professionals recently sent a joint letter to Energy Secretary Steven Chu and White House science adviser John Holdren urging such action.

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Guest commentary: Labor must get creative in negotiating to survive

Tue, Nov 29, 2011

It’s been four years since the economy went on life support in a recession that still saps the lifeblood of business today. In the St. Louis construction industry, unemployment remains at a Depression-level 30 percent to 40 percent. The union sector has frozen or cut wages and modified work rules to stimulate work. But it is all too clear that this is a market without money, frozen by credit gridlock. It’s a watershed moment for labor, requiring a more creative approach to negotiating with the market.

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Guest commentary: An uncertain future for power plants

Wed, Oct 19, 2011

The near-term future of our nation’s and Missouri’s economies is filled with uncertainty. Our struggle back from one of the largest economic downturns in U.S. history is extremely challenging.

Compounding our situation even more are the pending Environmental Protection Agency regulations that will both threaten jobs and increase costs on energy consumers in Missouri.

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Legislative and Events Update

Thu, Sep 15, 2011

Missouri’s legislators get it. They know that the best way to bring more jobs, more economic investment and more affordable, reliable energy to our state is to leave open the option for a second nuclear power plant. That’s why some of our legislators are speaking out on behalf of the nuclear site permit bill.

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Guest Blog: Back in Session

Mon, Sep 12, 2011

Saturday, August the 27th marked the end of the nine stop summer flap-jack tour. I had a great time chatting with many of you and appreciate you enduring the coffee that my chief of staff brewed at each stop. In every instance you gave me candid feedback and asked pointed questions about: 1) what state government is doing to help grow Missouri’s economy, 2) why has the governor called a special session of the legislature, and 3) what is the status of a second nuclear plant at the current Callaway site. Jobs and growing Missouri’s economy remain your top priority, and it is mine too.

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