Local environmentalists may be salivating over the prospect of Salem Harbor Station powering down its generators soon, but there are other considerations that must be taken into account.
Globally, given the body blow the crisis in Japan has delivered to the nuclear industry, there's the question of whether coal should remain part of the nation's energy mix. Regionally, ISO-New England is trying to determine whether demand for electricity, particularly during peak periods, can be met without the Salem plant. And locally, elected officials have a right to be concerned over the impact the plant's closing would have on the city's already precarious tax base.
Some might not care about any of this, but as chairman of the House energy committee and Salem's state representative, John Keenan has an absolute responsibility to be concerned.
His effort to use any legislative means necessary to address these issues should be commended, not condemned.
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