Alabama State Sen. Greg Albritton made his case for bringing the nuclear industry to south Alabama during an address to the Mobile County Municipal Association’s Nov. 21 meeting at Steele Creek Lodge.
Albritton (R-Atmore) voiced opposition to the Mobile Chamber of Commerce’s fight against bringing the U.S.S. Enterprise, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, to Mobile for dismantling.
“The Chamber does not want this and that concerns me,” said Albritton, who served in the U.S Navy. “If Mobile chooses to ignore this power, we are giving up an opportunity to bring this new industry into our area. I feel strongly this is an opportunity Mobile may be closing its doors on.”
“Why not bring that ship here and get that process? It would add to our economic, educational and industrial base. If Mobile chooses to ignore this power, we are giving up an opportunity to bring up that new industry in our area.”
RELATED: Mobile Chamber opposes potential dismantling of USS Enterprise at port
Earlier this month, the Mobile Chamber voiced its opposition to the nuclear ship’s disassembly proposal, citing safety concerns and its fear of creating a negative public perception issue.
Albritton addressed the stigma often associated with nuclear power, saying, “I think we get scared from watching 1950 science fiction movies.” He also said no U.S. Navy ship has ever experienced a nuclear accident or disaster.
“Yes, accidents happen, but good procedures and training prevents those accidents and training and procedures are what we do well,” he said. “We need to bring this new industry to Mobile.”
Albritton also raised concerns about south Alabama’s representation in state government.
“We have a major problem in south Alabama,” he said. “We do not have the population base or votes in south Alabama. The speaker of the house is from Huntsville, the lieutenant governor is from Huntsville, the senate pro tempore is from Jasper. In south Alabama, we must be united, determined and have our own agenda.
The MCMA’s new officers for 2025 were sworn in at the meeting. They are Chickasaw’s Jennifer White (president), Saraland’s Dr. Veronica Hudson (vice president), Creola’s James Brown (secretary) and Saraland’s Newton Cromer (chaplain).
Courtesy of Call News.
