NPP Newsletter: Events and outreach to local elected officials and future leaders

Friends-

With the recent news that yet another nuclear energy plant will prematurely close in Pennsylvania without necessary policy changes, our mission to educate all Pennsylvanians about the economic and environmental benefits of nuclear energy is more important than ever.  That is why we have been stepping up our efforts in recent days to reach important audiences, including local elected officials and future leaders.

Nuclear Powers Pennsylvania booth at the 96th Annual Educational Conference of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors

Nuclear Powers Pennsylvania this week attended the 96th Annual Educational Conference of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors. This conference brings thousands of township supervisors from across Pennsylvania to Hershey, providing an ideal forum to educate these local elected leaders on the challenges facing our nuclear energy plants and how they can help be a positive voice in their communities. We provided them with educational materials they can take back home. This kind of direct communication is invaluable; we had literally hundreds of personal conversations with township supervisors about the benefits of nuclear energy.

Students at the State YMCA Annual Model Legislative Convention

Each spring around this time, nearly 700 high school students from across Pennsylvania descend on the state Capitol for the State YMCA Annual Model Legislative Convention. These future leaders spend four days on the floor of the state House and Senate debating critical issues of the day. The purpose is to bring the workings of state government alive to students, creating a hands-on opportunity for students to discuss current state issues with state administrators and elected officials. For Nuclear Powers Pennsylvania, this is an ideal forum to share updates on nuclear energy to students who will be debating energy policy while in Harrisburg – and can then take what they have learned back home to share with their families, teachers and fellow students. NPP was proud to have Theresa Bowie address the students. Theresa is an electrical design engineer at Three Mile Island and spoke passionately about why she loves to be part of the nuclear industry – and why she is concerned her job is threatened by the premature closure of TMI.

“I take pride in and value my work because I know that I, and my entire nuclear industry family, am transforming the landscape of how we power our everyday lives. Our work enhances the lives of our neighbors, our community and our environment, because we make possible reliable, carbon-free electricity.” -Theresa Bowie, Electrical Design Engineer at Exelon, speaking to the students at the State YMCA Annual Model Legislative Convention.

The township supervisors’ conference and YMCA convention provided two outstanding forums to educate Pennsylvanians. We will continue to seek out more opportunities like these in the weeks and months ahead.