Below is a sample letter of support for recruiting additional coalition members. Please use the coalition letterhead and/or logo and personalize the letter to include your own name and organization.
SAMPLE LETTER
Month X, 2008
(Mr./Ms.) (First Name) (Last Name)
(Title)
(Organization)
(Address One)
(Address Two)
(City), (State) (Zip Code)
Dear (Mr./Ms.) (Last Name):
Few issues unite Texans as strongly as our conviction that clean air is a birthright of this state. We pride ourselves on our clear, blue skies, and we know that everyone- from business leaders to environmentalists to the general public-supports keeping the air we breathe as clean as possible.
At the same time, as a state, we are in need of a safe, reliable source of energy. Texas is expecting a surge in electricity demand over the next 20 years. But, current sources of electricity are not nearly enough to meet these future needs.
The answer to these parallel needs for abundant energy sources and clean air in Texas is nuclear energy.
Nuclear energy is proven to be a stable, reliable way to produce electricity for Texas and for the country. Texas' two nuclear plants, South Texas Project and Comanche Peak, have been safe, steady producers of inexpensive electricity for two decades. The nation's 104 nuclear units supply about 20 percent of the electricity in the United States. The only fuel source that produces more electricity is coal, which has significantly more environmental impacts than does nuclear.
Unlike coal plants, nuclear power plants do not produce or emit any greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide. Patrick Moore, the co-founder of Greenpeace, said, “… nuclear energy may just be the energy source that can save our planet from catastrophic climate change.” He wrote in The Washington Post in 2006 that “nuclear energy is the only large-scale, cost-effective energy source that can reduce [carbon dioxide] emissions while continuing to satisfy a growing demand for power.”
In an interview with Texas Monthly Editor Evan Smith, Governor Rick Perry said, “I feel strongly about any company that will come and deliver energy for the state of Texas, whether it’s wind, nuclear, solar, coal, or natural gas.” Governor Perry went on to say, “Frankly, I think nuclear is the big savior.”
Nuclear Energy for Texans is a coalition that includes representatives of local government, business and industry, environmental groups, health organizations and the scientific and engineering community. The coalition is working to raise the visibility of this issue with a coordinated public information campaign. We very much need your support for this important effort. Please log on to www.nuclearenergyfortexans.org to register with the coalition and sign our online statement of support. In return, you can learn more about nuclear energy and receive email updates about the coalition and the campaign.
Nuclear Energy for Texans is committed to preserving Texas’ clean air and blue skies through a diverse energy platform that includes nuclear power. We look forward to working with you to ensure Texas has a bright energy future for generations to come.
Thank you very much for your consideration, time and support of this important cause.
Sincerely,
(Name)
(Title)