Critical warning against nuclear power for Portmore

THE EDITOR, Madam:

The proposal to introduce any nuclear power reactor – particularly an untested and visually undocumented Small Modular Reactor (SMR) design – within or near the densely populated regions of Portmore, Spanish Town, Kingston, Port Royal, and urban Saint Andrew represents a catastrophic miscalculation.

I urge all professionals – physicists, physical chemists, engineers, environmentalists, geoscientists, educators, emergency responders, radiologists, oncologists, veterinarians, wildlife biologists, meteorologists, radiologists, radiographers, X-ray technicians, real estate agents, fishers, hunters, hikers, beachgoers, real estate developers, mechanics, regulators such as the OUR and the Bureau of Standards, first responders, and all critical thinkers across Jamaica – to unite against this reckless adventure. You grasp the risks to people’s well-being.

This initiative appears to be motivated by interests that are far removed from genuine industrial development or public benefit.

The term ‘depopulation’, as quoted from a prominent SMR advocate, should never have been considered for any areas in Southern St Catherine or Southern Clarendon. If this is not a manifestation of callous entitlement and a promise of harm disguised as development, then what is it?

The repercussions on property values in Portmore, Port Royal, Spanish Town, and the surrounding areas of St Catherine will be devastating. The economic stability and quality of life for residents in these regions are at serious risk if such a hazardous project is permitted to move forward.

This is not merely an ordinary struggle; it is a critical issue that affects the safety, prosperity, and future of our communities. Let us stand together against this threat and demand proven responsible and sustainable energy solutions for Jamaica’s future.

DENNIS MINOTT

Physicist, Energy Specialist