(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

Regardless of race, gender, age, or political party–hundreds of citizens gathered at the Beaver County Courthouse on the morning of September 20 to show their support and passion to keep nuclear energy jobs in Beaver County and across Pennsylvania and America alike.

The rally came on the day of the official shutdown of the Three Mile Island Unit 1 Plant in Dauphin County, which led to the termination of nearly 700 jobs alone. Such job losses could come to Beaver County soon enough as well, as local politicians are struggling to keep the Beaver Valley units in Shippingport remaining in operation.

In that vein, the workers, supporters, and dignitaries that rallied at the Courthouse focused on what the jobs in these plants provide in the community, and how the economy flows through the continued income these workers receive. South Side Beaver superintendent Alan Fritz spoke about how that motivation makes for a “simple” American Dream:

 

Fritz was far from the only one who had these values engrained in their speeches. Beaver Valley plant lead instructor Amy Bowan spoke on behalf of her coworkers at the rally, saying that the money they earn goes back to the local businesses and restaurants:

 

PA Central Labor Council president Darrin Kelly agreed with his fellow speakers, upping the rhetorical ante by calling out Harrisburg and federal politicians for their neglect of nuclear power maintenance:

 

County Commissioner Tony Amadio spoke on behalf of his board (Dan Camp and Sandie Egley flanked him on either side), talking about how much is produced by the Beaver Valley plant:

 

But perhaps no speaker spoke as passionately about the need to keep these jobs as State Representative Rob Matzie, whose nature of explaining the fuel behind employment took almost a fiery reverence:

 

Despite these cries though, it will ultimately be up to politicians in Harrisburg (and Washington) to come up with a solution. Otherwise the Beaver Valley Nuclear Power Station will set to close for good in 2021.

For photos from the rally (including all of the speakers), check out the gallery below!

NEW YORK (AP) — Several thousand protesters _ many of them high school age or younger _ are marching to the Capitol building in Washington. They are carrying signs that read: “There is no Planet B” and “This can’t wait until I finish school.” Many of the young protesters spoke bitterly about the inability of their parents’ generation to seriously confront the growing climate change threat.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The chairman of the House Intelligence Committee says President Trump’s attack on a whistleblower who alerted intelligence officials to a serious and urgent matter is “disturbing.” Rep. Adam Schiff says it’s also “deeply disturbing” that the White House appears to know more about the whistleblower’s complaint than the complaint’s intended recipient, Congress. The Trump administration is refusing to let congressional oversight committees see it.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate remained stable in August, as payrolls rose to a record high. The state Department of Labor and Industry said Friday that Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate remained at 3.9%. That’s one-tenth of a percentage point above the lowest rate on record it hit earlier this year. The national unemployment rate was 3.7% in August. Among states, Pennsylvania’s rate ranks 33rd.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Pennsylvania State Police says it hopes to resume collecting data early next year on the race of drivers that troopers pull over after a news organization reported the practice ended seven years ago. Spotlight PA said Friday the agency stopped recording the race of drivers in 2012. A state police spokesman says it was because of studies indicating there wasn’t evidence of racial disparities in traffic stops.

A CALIFORNIA WOMAN IS CHARGED WITH ASSAULTING AN ALIQUIPPA POLICE OFFICER. BEAVER COUNTY RADIO NEWS CORRESPONDENT SANDY GIORDANO HAS THE STORY. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…

An Ambridge man has survived…after shooting himself in the head with a crossbow yesterday. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano has the story. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…

In anticipation of his inauguration as the new president of the Community College of Beaver County next Friday, Dr. Roger W. Davis will participate in the coin toss at the Blackhawk/ Montour football game tonight. Dr. Davis is also scheduled to do a brief interview with Bob Barrickman during halftime of tonight’s broadcast from Blackhawk High School on Beaver County Radio.

This is Child Passenger Safety Week in Beaver County…as we hear in this report from Beaver County Radio News intern Alex D’Itri…

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Pennsylvania House is giving its unanimous approval to toughening penalties for using body-gripping animal traps outside of the waterways for which they’re designed. Lawmakers voted Thursday to send the bill to the state Senate for its consideration. Backers argue the larger penalties may help deter people from placing the traps where they shouldn’t be, and therefore reduce the number of pets and other domestic animals getting hurt or killed.