THE FOLLOWING STORY IS BY BILL PICKETT
As solar panels and wind turbines increase in Vermilion County, a member of the county board is suggesting the board explore another means of generating power. Bill Pickett has the story.
Phillip Jackson thinks land around the former Vermilion power station at Newtown would be a good site for a small modular nuclear reactor…
AUDIO: Is this location useful for an SMR? You have to ask that question. There are issues around the present site ownership. There are issues around coal ash that’s present right there. There are issues around the site itself, because of its proximity to the Middle Fork of the Vermilion River.
Jackson was speaking at this week’s county board meeting. Jackson noted that if the county pursues a small modular nuclear reactor, it will need some professional guidance. And he suggested using the same company that has built them for the U. S. Navy….
AUDIO: I wouldn’t just take anybody who sells reactors. I would want a proven name. And 75 years of a track record with Uncle Sam is a pretty good record.
Jackson admitted that funding would need to be explored…
AUDIO: Do we want to approach Washington, D.C? You have a little bit of a handout regarding such things. Do we want to approach Springfield; for a municipal bond issue of some kind or another, say for a utility? Do we want a private investment group, of local or national businesses? Chairman Miller has expressed his interest in Vermilion Advantage, and they may be a good place to start.
It was not the first time that Jackson suggested a small modular nuclear reactor for the county. He hopes board members will think about it.
