(PUEBLO, Colo.) — Pueblo County Commissioners held a townhall discussion on Thursday night about bringing nuclear power to the Steel City. This discussion came after a study found a nuclear plant would be a good fit for the community.

It was a fiery discussion inside the Sangre de Cristo Art Center with hundreds of people packing the room, evenly divided among people who were for the idea and those opposed.

The nuclear plant being considered would potentially replace the Comanche III Power Plant which will begin reducing operations in 2025 and is set to fully close in 2031.

“We’re concerned about the effect it’s going to have on our workers, but also the community,” said Nathaniel Gutierres, a business manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Union #111.

County Commissioners acknowledged closure of the Comanche III Power Plant could have a big toll on their community.

“We do need a tax base because it’s going to hurt the schools, the libraries,” said Epimenio Griego, Pueblo County Commissioner for District 1. “We need a tax base here. Because if you notice, the community — the tax base is small right now. And that’s where it comes from — power plants, manufacturing industry, and that’s where all our money comes from.”

Frances Koncilja, owner of Koncilja Energy and Law Policy presented a study during the discussion which suggested a nuclear plant could help with the tax base and help provide jobs for Pueblo and the surrounding area. Some in the community said any other form of power might not be as stable.

“The problem with other renewable energies is solar panels bring in a transient workforce, but not long-term maintainable jobs,” Gutierrez said. “Wind turbines brings in a transient workforce. But no long-term maintainable jobs. So, all of these jobs are going to come in short term, but nothing for longevity in our communities. Nuclear is going to maintain these jobs for generations.”

Others disagreed, saying jobs weren’t a guarantee if the nuclear plant opened. And some said other forms of renewable energy are not as different when it comes to salary.

“The fact of the matter is, if you Google nuclear power plant employees and you Google solar installers in Pueblo, the average salary is about the same,” said Velma Campbell, a Pueblo resident.

The question of whether or not nuclear energy is even a clean source of power also came into play.

“Generations in this community will be saddled with radioactive waste that lasts at least — I’m being literal when I say — 21,000 years,” Campbell said.

Koncilja said while there is nothing in the works yet, she hopes they can come up with a plan for proper disposal by looking at what other counties and states have done. Meanwhile, County Commissioners said they are still considering their options when it comes to providing jobs to the community and maintaining a tax base.

“We can do that in so many different ways,” said Daneya Esgar, Pueblo County Commissioner for District 2. “This is just one example of conversations that we’re starting to have.”

Esgar said nothing is set in stone yet, and she and the other commissioners plan on keeping conversations going and hearing from the community.