WE’VE been spending so much time worrying about the military buildup, trying to interpret the various signs out of Washington and Tokyo that we may be getting into a box. The buildup is being downsized, so now we’re clarifying our needs and desires based on the new, reduced reality. The actual reality of this past year may well be that the 4,700 Marines recently announced is just another number, and may not happen either.

Yes, we’re getting some military spending now, and yes, Guam is strategically important to the United States and likely to remain so. But if there is any lesson for our island in what’s been happening, perhaps it is that we should be taking care of ourselves and planning for a future that may not involve very much more military than we now have.

In that regard, the fact that the Consolidated Commission on Utilities is investigating new nuclear power technology as one of our options for the future is important. As a possible alternative energy source, nuclear power – especially the hybrid fusion being discussed this week – may turn out to be essential for our future sustainability as an island community.

Most people agree we cannot continue generating power with fossil fuels for much longer.  Plans need to be made for alternatives, and as with all electric power generation planning, we need to be looking now at what we may need in 20 or 30 years. Simon Sanchez, chairman of the CCU, says of our story Monday: “Before nuclear energy is to be considered as a viable alternative for Guam, it’s going to take a community discussion.

“The community is going to have to be reassured that the technology is viable, and most importantly that it’s safe. We are watching with great interest what’s going on in the United States with these small, modular plants that are now getting licensed. But even as we watch it develop, we expect a full vetting out with the community.”

“Let me put it this way,” he continued, “you saw how much we debated waste-to-energy for the last 20 years. I suspect nuclear energy may have enough significance and enough import to the community that the debate will be healthy – and necessary – as we trade off rising energy costs with the risks associated with any alternative, like nuclear.”

Rising energy costs are inevitable. We’re isolated and pretty much stuck with those costs unless we can find a cheaper alternative. Hybrid fusion nuclear power is such an alternative. Our leaders and policymakers should initiate and encourage the community discussion needed before we can make it happen, or whether we even want to go down that road.