GA, D.C. Students Speak Up for Nuclear PowerNate MyersMarch 17, 2025
As this semester flies by, CFACT collegians throughout the country are busy fighting for a nuclear-powered future. Thanks in no small part to the efforts of CFACT, there has been a change of tone on nuclear energy in Washington as of late. Advances in safety protocols and waste disposal, coupled with fluctuating global energy prices, has reminded the powers at be that nuclear energy holds the potential for almost unlimited amounts of domestic energy.
With this in mind, two of our student campus representatives, Mary Mercer and A.J. Conte, recently weighed in on the subject by submitting comments to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, offering their thoughts as to why the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant in southwestern Michigan should be recommissioned. You can read both their submitted public comments in full below:
“To Whom it May Concern,
I strongly support the recommissioning of the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant in Michigan. Nuclear energy is the cleanest form of energy and therefore the most environmentally friendly option. It is the only form of energy known to man that produces zero emissions and has a primary biproduct of steam. Nuclear waste disposal is one of the most advanced, careful and heavily regulated processes in the world. If our government claims to care about the environment, Recommissioning the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant would demonstrate the environmentally mindful choice.
Nuclear energy is a reliable power source that is consistent 24/7. Reliable energy is important for many different aspects of life and applications such as workplaces, hospitals, housing, factories, businesses. Nuclear energy also has low operational costs which keeps it affordable for consumers. Restarting Palisades would also bring many job opportunities back to local Michigan communities once operational.
U.S. energy independence can be bolstered by utilizing domestic nuclear energy resources. In turn this strengthens our national security by reducing reliance on foreign oil. Modern nuclear plants have top-notch safety measures which improve efficiency and decrease risk of accidents. Authorizing the recommissioning of the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant encourages investment and development of nuclear technology which brings America one step closer to a grid powered by environmentally safe energy.
Therefore, upon these grounds I strongly urge the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to approve the recommission of the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant in Michigan.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Mary Mercer
CFACT Collegian“
“To Whom it May Concern,
My name is A.J. Conte, a graduate student attending Georgetown University pursuing a Master’s in Public Policy and serve as my school’s campus representative for Collegians for a Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT). I am writing to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to express my strong support for the renewal of power operations at Palisades Nuclear Power Plant. As the demand for affordable, clean, and dependable electricity is expected to increase in the long term, Palisades should be brought back online to keep supplying power to southwestern Michigan for years to come. This helps to ensure that there is a reliable, local supply of energy that is not dependent on changing weather conditions, making it a viable energy solution that ensures a steady energy output.
Nuclear power is widely known for its ability to provide uninterrupted electricity 24/7 regardless of the variations in the weather or other environmental factors. Palisades has proven its capability to deliver power for more than five decades and reviving it would extend the plant’s ability to offer dependable and eco-friendly energy to local communities. Returning Palisades’ to operation helps prevent utility companies from relying on fossil fuel facilities that are expensive and vulnerable to market fluctuations.
Recommissioning the Palisades facility also avoids the financial burden of replacing its energy production with a more expensive and less dependable alternative. Decommissioning a nuclear plant not only incurs substantial costs but also necessitates increased reliance on higher-priced and intermittent energy sources. This recommissioning ensures long-term energy affordability and economic stability, as nuclear energy safeguards consumers from price fluctuations and provides hundreds of high-paying, specialized jobs that are not easily outsourced and contribute greatly to the growth of local and regional economies. Investing in nuclear energy is an investment in American workers, economic resilience, and an energy independent future.
Given that nuclear energy remains the most sustainable and dependable energy sources known to man, allowing Palisades to resume operations is a practical and necessary decision. I strongly urge the NRC to finalize the Finding of No Significant Impact and approve the necessary regulatory actions to allow Palisades to resume operations.
As this semester flies by, CFACT collegians throughout the country are busy fighting for a nuclear-powered future. Thanks in no small part to the efforts of CFACT, there has been a change of tone on nuclear energy in Washington as of late. Advances in safety protocols and waste disposal, coupled with fluctuating global energy prices, has reminded the powers at be that nuclear energy holds the potential for almost unlimited amounts of domestic energy.
With this in mind, two of our student campus representatives, Mary Mercer and A.J. Conte, recently weighed in on the subject by submitting comments to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, offering their thoughts as to why the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant in southwestern Michigan should be recommissioned. You can read both their submitted public comments in full below:
“To Whom it May Concern,
I strongly support the recommissioning of the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant in Michigan. Nuclear energy is the cleanest form of energy and therefore the most environmentally friendly option. It is the only form of energy known to man that produces zero emissions and has a primary biproduct of steam. Nuclear waste disposal is one of the most advanced, careful and heavily regulated processes in the world. If our government claims to care about the environment, Recommissioning the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant would demonstrate the environmentally mindful choice.
Nuclear energy is a reliable power source that is consistent 24/7. Reliable energy is important for many different aspects of life and applications such as workplaces, hospitals, housing, factories, businesses. Nuclear energy also has low operational costs which keeps it affordable for consumers. Restarting Palisades would also bring many job opportunities back to local Michigan communities once operational.
U.S. energy independence can be bolstered by utilizing domestic nuclear energy resources. In turn this strengthens our national security by reducing reliance on foreign oil. Modern nuclear plants have top-notch safety measures which improve efficiency and decrease risk of accidents. Authorizing the recommissioning of the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant encourages investment and development of nuclear technology which brings America one step closer to a grid powered by environmentally safe energy.
Therefore, upon these grounds I strongly urge the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to approve the recommission of the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant in Michigan.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Mary Mercer
CFACT Collegian“
“To Whom it May Concern,
My name is A.J. Conte, a graduate student attending Georgetown University pursuing a Master’s in Public Policy and serve as my school’s campus representative for Collegians for a Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT). I am writing to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to express my strong support for the renewal of power operations at Palisades Nuclear Power Plant. As the demand for affordable, clean, and dependable electricity is expected to increase in the long term, Palisades should be brought back online to keep supplying power to southwestern Michigan for years to come. This helps to ensure that there is a reliable, local supply of energy that is not dependent on changing weather conditions, making it a viable energy solution that ensures a steady energy output.
Nuclear power is widely known for its ability to provide uninterrupted electricity 24/7 regardless of the variations in the weather or other environmental factors. Palisades has proven its capability to deliver power for more than five decades and reviving it would extend the plant’s ability to offer dependable and eco-friendly energy to local communities. Returning Palisades’ to operation helps prevent utility companies from relying on fossil fuel facilities that are expensive and vulnerable to market fluctuations.
Recommissioning the Palisades facility also avoids the financial burden of replacing its energy production with a more expensive and less dependable alternative. Decommissioning a nuclear plant not only incurs substantial costs but also necessitates increased reliance on higher-priced and intermittent energy sources. This recommissioning ensures long-term energy affordability and economic stability, as nuclear energy safeguards consumers from price fluctuations and provides hundreds of high-paying, specialized jobs that are not easily outsourced and contribute greatly to the growth of local and regional economies. Investing in nuclear energy is an investment in American workers, economic resilience, and an energy independent future.
Given that nuclear energy remains the most sustainable and dependable energy sources known to man, allowing Palisades to resume operations is a practical and necessary decision. I strongly urge the NRC to finalize the Finding of No Significant Impact and approve the necessary regulatory actions to allow Palisades to resume operations.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
A.J. Conte
CFACT Collegian
Georgetown University graduate student“
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