(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!