Chapter 718 - 336: Election Pressure

"Our political base in Pennsylvania is the working class, and our current goal is to solidify it. If you propose restarting the Three Mile Island nuclear plant at the federal level right now, the Republican Party will seize the opportunity to blow it out of proportion and stoke the anger of environmental groups."

"The Democratic Party would never touch an issue this toxic."

"Without support from within the Democratic Party, how will you get the bill passed?"

Leo watched Murphy calmly, waiting for him to vent all his concerns.

"The tech giants from Silicon Valley and the energy companies have already signed an agreement."

There was no ripple in Leo’s tone. He was simply stating a fact.

"The Computing Power Special Zone needs an absolutely stable and massive supply of base-load electricity. Only nuclear power can solve that problem."

"If we don’t push this project forward, the tens of billions invested in the Computing Power Special Zone will be for nothing. Pennsylvania’s industrial revival would lose its most crucial engine for the future."

Murphy looked at Leo, a troubled expression on his face.

He wrung his hands, trying to find a more diplomatic way to put it.

"Leo, I completely understand how important this project is. But the timing..." Murphy searched for the right words. "Can we just wait a little?"

"Wait until after the election, when the political climate in Washington has calmed down a bit. We can bring it up then. People’s nerves won’t be so on edge, and it might be easier to handle."

Leo looked at him coldly.

"Wait?"

"I don’t have time to wait. If we follow the standard approval process, the power plant won’t be built for another ten years. In ten years, the AI war will already be over, and Pennsylvania won’t even get the scraps."

A hint of disappointment showed in Leo’s eyes.

"John, you’re still thinking like a traditional politician. You see the difficulties and the risks, so your first instinct is to delay and avoid the issue."

"But you don’t see the opportunity."

"You don’t see how desperate the various interest groups are under this immense pressure. The tech giants need power, the energy companies need contracts, the unions need jobs. They’re more desperate than we are."

Leo didn’t want to explain any further to Murphy.

This kind of high-stakes power play wasn’t something a nice guy like Murphy, who was used to coasting in his comfort zone, could understand.

"Get the car ready."

Leo said.

"We’re going to see Sanders."

"I don’t want to have to repeat myself."

Murphy took a deep breath.

He knew Leo’s decision was final. He could only grab his briefcase and keep pace with him.

The Hart Senate Office Building was abuzz with activity.

Reporters from all sorts of media outlets were cornering Senators in the hallways, trying to dig up the latest scoop on the election.

Guided by the Capitol Police, Leo and Murphy avoided the crowds and arrived at Daniel Sanders’s office.

The office door was shut tight.

Leo and Murphy sat across from the desk.

After hearing why Leo had come, Sanders’s face instantly turned livid.

"A nuclear power plant? Restart Three Mile Island?"

Sanders demanded loudly, his chest heaving.

"Leo, do you have any idea what you’re saying? You’re completely shattering the green energy path that the Progressives have worked so hard to build!"

"Nuclear energy is extremely dangerous, and its construction and maintenance costs are exorbitant. Most importantly, it’s firmly monopolized by a few supergiant energy corporations!"

Sanders glared at Leo, his eyes filled with disappointment and anger.

"We have always been dedicated to promoting decentralized renewable energy, hoping to return control of energy to communities and ordinary people. And now you want to use federal policy and taxpayer money to subsidize those monopolistic capitalists!"

"When you created the Mutual Aid Alliance in Pennsylvania to break the insurance companies’ monopoly, I supported you with everything I had. When you pushed the infrastructure bill, I used all my connections to lobby for you."

Sanders pointed at the office door.

"But nuclear power is a red line that absolutely cannot be crossed! What’s more, this is a critical moment in the election. Proposing something like this will cause a massive rift in the Democratic Party over environmental issues."

"This will deal a devastating blow to our election chances. I will absolutely not support this project."

Leo sat upright in his chair, letting Sanders vent his fury.

He didn’t argue back, nor was he in a hurry to explain.

Deep in Leo’s consciousness, Roosevelt commented on the situation.

’Look closely at his anger, Leo. It’s laced with the fear of losing votes and the need to defend his own political dogma.’

’But right now, all he can do is shout at you. He can’t issue any executive order to shut you down. That’s a sign of your growing power.’

’Faced with absolute power, even the political idols of the older generation must re-evaluate their relationship with you.’

The office became extremely quiet once Sanders stopped shouting.

Leo leaned forward, lacing his fingers together on the desk.

"Senator, I came to you today out of respect for your past help."

Leo’s tone was cold and hard, carrying the oppressive air of someone in a superior position.

"I’m not here to seek your approval. I’m here to inform you, and to find a mutually respectable way for us to cooperate."

Sanders was stunned.

Leo continued, each word striking one of Sanders’s weak spots.

"The Computing Power Special Zone must be built. The nuclear power plant must be restarted. This is about the future livelihoods of tens of thousands of workers in Pennsylvania."

"If I don’t push this project forward, those tech giants will pull their funding, the factories will shut down, and my constituents will immediately face unemployment. I absolutely cannot sacrifice my people’s right to survive for the sake of your so-called environmental dogma."