CASEnergy Co-Chairs Interviewed By Top Tier National Media About White House Nuclear Industry Jumpstart
On February 16, President Obama announced $8.3 billion in federal loan guarantees to build two new reactors at a nuclear power plant in Georgia, effectively jumpstarting the first wave of new nuclear plants in the U.S. in more than three decades.
CASEnergy Co-chairs Dr. Patrick Moore and Governor Christine Todd Whitman were subsequently sought out by national media for comment on President Obama’s announcement to “help finance safe, clean nuclear facilities” and the resulting impact on job creation, the economy, and the environment.
On the evening of the announcement, Dr. Moore was featured in the lead news story on
ABC World News with Diane Sawyer. The segment focused on the safety of the nuclear industry, as well as the pros and cons of constructing new plants in the U.S. Dr. Moore touted the safety record of the nuclear industry, stating, “When you look at the actual figures, you have to accept that the nuclear energy industry is one of the safest industries we have.” His history with Greenpeace was raised but his on-screen title reflected his current role with CASE and read – “The Clean and Safe Energy Coalition.”
The next morning Gov. Whitman appeared on CNN’s American Morning in which she underscored the importance of this policy shift in support of nuclear expansion to address pressing economic and environmental issues. She talked about growing demand for electricity and the need for clean, reliable sources. “Nuclear is an important part of the clean base energy. That’s really the key We’re looking at a 23% increase in demand for electricity by 2030. That’s 20 years from now. Today renewables are maybe 7, 9% if you really stretch it, of our power. To get to the point that they could be the base energy – we can’t get there in that time period.”
Environmental lawyer Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., an advocate for the solar and wind industry, represented an opposing view on nuclear. In the interview, Gov. Whitman effectively countered his general arguments about cost with concrete numbers on the cost comparison between wind and nuclear, highlighting the nuclear advantage as the most cost-efficient and land-efficient source of power. “For wind power – to have the same amount of power that you get from an average nuclear reactor – it takes over 200,000 acres. It doesn’t mean you don’t do it, but let’s understand that there are costs on both sides. A wind facility brought on line is between $10 and 12 billion dollars – a nuclear power plant is $6 to 8. They’re all expensive… Once they’re online – nuclear is the least expensive at just under 2 cents a kilowatt hour.”
