Mehaffie Comments on Closure of TMI Power Plant

September 23, 2019

HARRISBURG – Rep. Tom Mehaffie (R-Dauphin) released the following statement today regarding the permanent closing of Three Mile Island Unit 1.

“The closure of Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station is a tremendous loss for our community, county and state.
“While nuclear power is our highest performing, non-emitting resource in the bulk power system, a fundamentally flawed wholesale electric market has claimed another resource victim. This is precisely why other states took action to save their nuclear industry.

“For the past several years, I have tried to educate lawmakers about the significant role that nuclear power plays in meeting important environmental goals, providing reliability and energy security for our bulk power system, and for its overwhelming economic benefit to local communities and our Commonwealth.

“Unfortunately, no action was taken, and the negative results will be unavoidable.

“Now, the focus will shift to another community in western Pennsylvania. It is my hope that the lessons of TMI’s closure will be learned before it is too late for that local government, its school district, and the hundreds of highly skilled employees and their families who will lose their jobs if inaction continues.

“For me, this fight has always been about people – the people who work at the plant, the people who live and have businesses that surround the plant, and all the people of Pennsylvania who want clean air.

“Far too often, special interests in Harrisburg prevail, especially when there is a lot of money at stake. I am convinced that has happened in this case, and I am sorry that my constituents will suffer as a result.

“While I say goodbye to TMI, I remain committed to advocating for carbon-free electricity production and intend to be active in seeking a statewide solution to the ongoing challenges facing the rest of Pennsylvania’s nuclear fleet.

“Although I look forward to continuing the debate on the value of nuclear energy, the very real loss my friends, neighbors and community members are facing now saddens me.

“I am convinced that someday a majority of the people will see the many benefits associated with nuclear power production and regret that Pennsylvania lost TMI due to an irreversible pre-mature closure.”

Representative Thomas Mehaffie
106th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jennifer Fitch
717.260.6335
jfitch@pahousegop.com 
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