Image courtesy of Flickr.
Irma and Harvey mark the first time on record that two category 4 or higher hurricanes have struck the U.S. mainland in the same year[1], let alone within one week of each other.
To say this has been a destructive and costly hurricane season would be a gross understatement.
Climate change is amplifying the damage done by hurricanes and is driving the observed trend of increasing hurricane intensity[2] as well as the observed trend of more rapidly intensifying hurricanes.[3][4]
These types of storms cause extremely hazardous conditions, including flying objects, fallen trees, downed power lines, which carry the potential for electrocution, broken window glass on homes and cars and damage to roofs and other structures.[5]
The combined estimated damage from Irma and Harvey is about $290 billion, totaling 1.5 of a percentage point of our $19 trillion GDP. It goes without saying that Harvey and Irma are two of the costliest weather disasters in U.S. history and will counter the natural economic growth through the end of the fourth quarter.[6]
With such dismal circumstances facing us, one begins to wonder how FEMA and other government agencies will finance $290 billion of infrastructure repairs and statewide re-housing for millions of people. Of course, some losses will be covered by insurance, but many will not.
What’s even scarier is both Harvey and Irma occurred in states that have nuclear reactors. Two reactors are located at the South Texas Project plant near Houston, and were not shut down by the time Harvey made landfall, and four reactors in Florida, a pair at Turkey Point, 25 miles south of Miami, and a pair at St. Lucie, 125 miles north of Miami, all of which were shut down by the time Irma made landfall.
It’s disconcerting that the South Texas Project plant didn’t bother to shut down operations, endangering employees and the greater community,[7] and that Turkey Point was in line for a possible direct hit from Irma.[8]
The potential danger is overwhelmingly apparent. At the rate at which we’re experiencing extreme natural disasters, how can we be certain the next one won’t trigger a Fukushima-like nuclear meltdown?
We can’t.
It’s ludicrous that the Trump administration would propose nuclear bailouts for this dying, dirty, and dangerous energy source—a bailout of $100+ billion.
Fukushima costs are still rising, currently sitting somewhere around $188 billion, resulting in higher power bills for consumers in the long run. [8]
We cannot afford to let the Trump administration bailout the nuclear industry. The stakes are too high. Our rapidly changing climate leaves have triggered extreme and uncertain weather patterns. We can’t allow this danger to be exacerbated by an avoidable catastrophic nuclear meltdown. Join NIRS in our campaign to Stop the Nuclear and Coal Bailout.
1. Sign our petition
2. Share it with your friends
3. Help us reach thousands more people
Together we can fight against Trump’s disastrous dirty energy agenda!