Re the editorial "Nuclear power: Allocating Green River water is folly" (Our View, Jan. 22):

Water will always be an issue for any development in our dry state (agriculture, industry, etc.). However, creating high-paying construction and plant operation jobs is also very important, especially in eastern Utah.

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The generation of 3,000 megawatts of electrical power would be the major source of employment and wealth throughout the Green River region and is essential for Utah’s future growth.

The water allocation concerns surrounding water use for electrical power production (nuclear or fossil fuel) are real. But only a small fraction of the water from a nuclear plant is vaporized; the vast remainder is returned unchanged, except for being slightly warmer.

While future drought is problematic, the need to provide additional electrical power is a certainty, and it’s one of the best uses of Utah’s limited water resources. If we don’t allocate the water wisely and soon, our neighbor states will use our shares.

We have to weigh the small probability of a short-term water issue in the future with the essential jobs and economic growth needed for the entire state of Utah in the 21st century.

Gary M. Sandquist

Salt Lake City