Ruben Willmarth: Don’t dismiss nuclear energy as effective power source

Re “Trading water for oil?” (Opinions, May 3): As a Sierra Club member for many years, I agree with Carl Pope’s final conclusion that we must shift toward low-carbon energy and water efficiency. But I can’t accept his semi-factual dismissal of nuclear energy as a low-water, low-carbon energy source. Right here in California two reactors are seawater cooled, using no fresh water to produce enormous energy. They can be air-cooled too, but the best use here would be to co-power a desalination plant in Southern California and eliminate water pumping over the Tehachapis. We mustn’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good if we are to succeed.

This story was originally published May 6, 2015 at 1:54 PM with the headline "Ruben Willmarth: Don’t dismiss nuclear energy as effective power source."