Grand Opening of the Charleston Energy Park
Image by Albrecht Fietz from Pixabay.
"Ugh do we really need it? Were already exporting power to other states."
"Opening? It's taken them long enough lol."
"still too expensve imo no reason to abandon solar"
These messages, and those like it, scrolled across the screen of Winston's watch. He could hardly blink as each one flashed in his eyes.
"You look rather down," his boss, Gina, observed.
"I'm just reading the comments."
"You really shouldn't do that. It's too much negativity. Come on, the ceremony is about to start."
"Do we really need to do it? I peeked outside. There's only a handful of vloggers in attendance."
"Cheer up Winston. We are pioneers. We are the first ones to accomplish this task. No matter what any stranger says, take that to heart."
"Yes mam."
Gina turned on a dime and walked out to the stage. Winston was right behind her and then stopped. He turned over his wrist and unbuckled the strap. He had to take a break from the watch.
"Good afternoon everyone," Gina said as she stepped up to the podium.
"It has been a long journey, full of delays and cost overruns. And believe me, nobody has been more frustrated nor more dedicated than I to ensuring this project reached its completion. I want to celebrate not myself, but all of the scientists, researchers, and others who have been working up to this moment for so long. And while we may be the first, I believe we won't be the last.
"Today the Charleston Energy Park comes online, the first fusion reactor as part of the power grid. This will generate 1.3 gigawatts of continual clean energy for our state and our neighbors. We want to give a special thanks to our two senators who have been instrumental in assisting us through the regulatory process.
"And with all that being said, the park is now operating."
She picked up an oversized pair of scissors and cut a ribbon. Someone in the building took that signal to turn on the lights. It was ceremonial, as the plant had been operating quietly for several days, but it created good content for the vloggers in attendance.