We needed more nuclear power plants yesterday. According to the latest monthly newsletter from my electric co-op, we’re in big trouble. The co-op manager’s message was clear. The next round of environmental restrictions on coal-fired plants will cause price increases that some customers can’t afford. Power production may even be affected, causing shortages.

This situation is the fault of our legislators in St. Paul and Washington D.C. like Democratic, antinuclear-energy Senator Harry Reid. Common sense tells us that until we build more nuclear power plants, our power co-ops must be allowed to utilize coal-fire sources, sometimes compromising climate-change goals. Legislators need to realize that fixed income seniors feel the financial pinch first. We’re also the ones who show up most often at the polling place, not the Sierra Club lobbyists.

John Holley

Ironton