The legislative measure, introduced in Puerto Rico’s Senate, also proposes to reaffirm public policy to combat climate change with energy production through renewable sources.
The problem of the climate crisis as a result of global warming is linked to the emission of greenhouse gases and poses an unprecedented threat to humanity, the MVC establishes in its proposal.
He also indicated that the central factor in the emission of greenhouse gases is the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas.
Senator Rafael Bernabé expressed concern that various sectors may want to take advantage of the situation to boost nuclear power generation.
“Taking advantage of the urgency of abandoning fossil fuels, this has been attempted in the past and aims to re-use nuclear power as an eco-friendly alternative,” he indicated.
“Experts on the subject tell us that the high cost of nuclear power generation, the many hazards and harmful environmental impacts are known and have led to its abandonment in various countries,” said Senate Alternative Spokesperson for Victoria Ciudadana.
“There are now attempts to recycle this option with models of so-called small modular nuclear reactors which, being smaller, reduce some of the problems and dangers of larger reactors, but do not eliminate them,” he argued. Gave.
He recognized that in order to address the climate crisis in Puerto Rico, a quick transition to renewable energy sources is essential.
He recalled that studies suggest that by 2035, Puerto Rico could meet 75 percent of its energy demand with renewable sources, most notably through a distributed solar generation system.
This option not only protects the environment, he said, but will lead to a significant reduction in kilowatt-hour costs, so the legislative measure underscores that the small reactor technology is still in the experimental stage.
He warned that there are still no reactors of this type that operate on a commercial scale in any country, and intends to make Puerto Rico a testing ground.
In addition, it aims to reduce operating costs by reducing the safety requirements to operate it, so as not to endanger those with more lax requirements to make this technology viable.
The resolution sets up the President of the United States and the Secretary of Defense to communicate opposition to plans to install nuclear microreactors at Fort Buchanan in Guanabo, or at any other military or federal installation in Puerto Rico.
Jha/NRM
