MBEF Holds Rally on Nuclear Site Permit Bill
JEFFERSON CITY – Missourians for a Balanced Energy Future (MBEF) today held a rally at the Missouri Capitol to urge legislators to pass the nuclear site permit bill, legislation that will keep open the option of nuclear power in Missouri. With just four days left in this year’s legislative session, hundreds of Missourians came out to tell legislative leaders to hold a fair, up-or-down vote on this critical legislation as soon as possible.
Speakers included Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder; nuclear site permit bill sponsor Sen. Mike Kehoe; Rep. Chris Kelly; Irl L. Scissors, MBEF Executive Director; Jeff Aboussie, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, St. Louis Building and Construction Trades Council; and Scott Bond, Senior Management, Nuclear Operations, Callaway Plant.
“It is time all parties involved come to a quick compromise on this issue of critical importance to the State of Missouri,” said Lt. Gov. Kinder. “Tens of thousands of jobs, billions of dollars of investment and the security of Missouri’s energy future depend on swift action and strong leadership. The time for action is now.”
Kehoe also discussed the consequences of inaction. “If we don’t act now, nuclear power will no longer be an option for our state,” Kehoe said. “The Missourians who came to today’s rally expect us to address this challenge. All sides need to act in good faith and work to finalize this legislation so we can get it to Gov. Jay Nixon’s desk this week.”
Kelly, who spoke to rally attendees in front of the Lewis & Clark statues on the State Capitol grounds, underscored the importance of keeping new nuclear power as an option for Missouri. “We’re here today for the same reason that Lewis & Clark explored this state – because they were forward thinkers,” Kelly said. “It’s time that we act as forward thinkers, too. We need this legislation. Our energy future depends on it, jobs depend on it and our economy depends on it.”
Missourians for a Balanced Energy Future hosted the rally, and the coalition is made up of small and large businesses, labor organizations, farmers, associations, trade groups and individuals from all corners of the state.
“Today’s rally and this remarkable turnout is just another testament to this legislation’s widespread support in our state,” Scissors said. “People in Missouri know that we must put a plan in place to continue to meet Missouri’s electricity needs in the most affordable way possible, and they want our legislative leaders to act now.”
For more information or to schedule an interview with Irl Scissors, please contact Kim George at (816) 550-1782.
