Commentaries

May 12, 2009

 Commentaries is where Minnesota Public Radio welcomes your thoughtful opinion about current events and issues. Commentaries are like letters to the editor. To be considered for publication, your commentary should be issue-related, clearly written, and follow our Terms of Use. New insights into ongoing topics are especially welcome. Not all commentaries received are published. For topical interaction with others, visit the discussion groups.

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Time to lift the nuclear power ban

The ban on nuclear power in Minnesota is typical of the simplistic solution of "just say no." [MPR News: Joint committee to consider lifting nuclear ban]

We have learned a lot in the last thirty years and have not had any serious incidents with nuclear energy in this country. While other states have continued with Nuclear Technology, Minnesota has been dormant.

There is a new technology out there that would take pressure off the power grid by putting the energy where it is needed most. They are referred to as mini-nukes, small units that are no larger than a garden shed. The orders for these units have exceeded production capabilities and most of them are coming from other countries. We will be at the end of the line because of our ban.

I am a former Industrial Radiographer who has had first hand experience handling radioactive materials. Nuclear power can be safe. It is time for us hillbillies to come out of the woods and join the 21st Century.

Gerald Myking
North Mankato, Minn.


Is an empty house sustainable?

I fully applaud NeDA efforts to create sustainable housing. [MPR News: St. Paul non-profit aims for affordable, efficient homes] Creating LEED certified homes that use little energy is a terrific accomplishment. But, these homes have been sitting empty, unable to be sold for over a year. They are using power, yet no one is living there. How sustainable is that?

As a former owner of a NeDA rehabbed home, located just down the block from these new LEED homes, I fully appreciate their program. But when I purchased my home, there were no income requirements, only a requirement to stay there 10 years. It makes sense to fix up homes and try to develop areas with mixed incomes in order to bring the neighborhood up. Unfortunately, after 11 years of dealing with crime almost on a weekly basis and neighbors who don't seem to care, we had to leave the neighborhood.

At $170K, these homes may appear to be affordable, but not to the limited people who qualify. Taking the income limits off these homes will help gentrify the neighborhood and actually make this a truly sustainable project. From very personal experience, the neighborhood sorely needs this kind of boost!

Roxanne Nelson
St. Paul, Minn.


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