AEHI's statements to public have been misleading

Dear editor:

AEHI recently published statements in the Mountain Home News that either are misleading or need a "fact check." Consider the following:

Will AEHI build and then run the power plant?

AEHI in Mountain Home News: "We have always made it clear our intentions to... construct the reactor and put it into service."

Fact: In their SEC filing dated last year they state very clearly their plan to sell this project to some electric utility, not necessarily in Idaho: "Management (AEHI) believes that it is likely that any reactor at the Site will be owned and operated by... reactor suppliers and reactor customers (i.e. electric utilities)."

How did AEHI choose the Hammett site for their plant?

AEHI in Mountain Home News: "The people who actually fund and develop power plants do not support siting authorities and few states use them."

Fact: In approximately 36 states, local zoning authorities share jurisdiction with state energy facility siting boards. Four states in our area use siting boards: Oregon, Washington, Montana and California. AEHI chose this site not because it was the best site for a reactor but because they were given an opportunity to buy property on the Snake River.

What is their experience building nuclear power plants?

AEHI in Mountain Home News: "Our board and advisors have a total of 357 years of experience in the nuclear industry.

Fact: AEHI has never built a nuclear power plant.

Will the AEHI plant create power for Idaho or even the northwest?

AEHI in Mountain Home News: "AEHI plant would create enough to power all the homes in Idaho three times over."

Fact: AEHI is a merchant plant that will sell power to the highest bidder (not Idaho likely). AEHI is a development company that is willing to put their nuclear plant in our backyard for their own financial gain.

Water is competitive in Idaho. Will AEHI plant use much water?

AEHI in Mountain Home News: "...there are low water designs..."

Fact: There are no power plants in existence that use as little water as AEHI states it will use. Even third-generation reactors use a great deal of water and therefore are located in wet climate areas or near the ocean.

Is nuclear power safe?

AEHI in Mountain Home News: "Nuclear generation is the safest... with no deaths or injuries due to radiation exposure in the United States...."

Fact: The Chernobyl nuclear disaster is directly or indirectly responsible for literally thousands of deaths. Because of leaks and low-level radiation or possible "emergencies" the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (in 2001) and the American Academy of Science have both asked states to have on hand potassium iodide tablets for those living within a 10-mile radius of a reactor.

Can we meet our energy needs with solar and wind?

AEHI in Mountain Home News: "Solar and wind literally don't have the horsepower to run our nation."

Fact: We don't know yet if conservation efforts and alternative forms of energy, not just solar and wind, can "run our nation." Technology is evolving fast in all energy areas.

The leading federal expert on the costs of nuclear power, Mark Cooper, testified that nuclear power plants are too expensive and energy needs can be met without them -- even in large populous states like Florida.

Diana Hooley

Indian Cove