CASEnergy Co-Chairs Celebrate Earth Day as Momentum Grows in Favor of Nuclear Energy Expansion
Support for the Expansion of Nuclear Power and Clean Energy at an All Time High
WASHINGTON, DC, April 22, 2010 – As the United States marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, leaders of the Clean and Safe Energy (CASEnergy) Coalition praise Americans’ growing support of emission-free nuclear power as part of the effort to meet the 80% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions recommended by President Obama and Congress. In order to meet these reductions, America must adopt a diverse energy mix which includes new nuclear combined with the use of renewable energy sources like wind, solar, geothermal and hydropower as well as conservation efforts.
Nuclear energy is an important component of the United States’ diverse energy mix as it produces 20 percent of the nation’s electricity and nearly 75 percent of the nation’s clean energy.
Even with increased conservation and efficiency measures, the U.S. will need 23 percent more electricity by 2030. Nuclear energy is a 24/7 base load power source which can meet that demand both cleanly and reliably. With growing electricity needs and climate change concerns top of mind, support for nuclear energy is at an all-time high. According to the most recent Gallup poll released late last month, 62% of Americans favor the use of nuclear power, the highest percentage since Gallup began polling on the topic in 1994.
U.S. energy policy recommendations reflect the consensus building behind nuclear expansion, evidenced by President Obama’s recent announcement to allocate $8.3 billion in federal loan guarantees to build two new reactors in Georgia and create thousands of new jobs. The president also has recommended tripling the budget for loan guarantees for new nuclear energy facilities.
“This is a remarkable time for those working for clean energy solutions.” said CASEnergy co-chair and former leader of Greenpeace, Dr. Patrick Moore. “The renewed investment in nuclear energy as part of a clean energy policy demonstrates America is serious about reducing air pollution. The round-the-clock baseload production of nuclear energy can power our homes and businesses while creating high paying jobs that cannot be shipped overseas, all without polluting our air.”
This renewed commitment to nuclear energy is good news for the nation’s economy. As the U.S. addresses future electricity production needs and climate change issues, the construction of new nuclear power plants will infuse the economy with much needed new jobs.
Work is well underway for the construction of two nuclear energy plants in Georgia and South Carolina. In Georgia, more than 700 people are already working at state’s largest-ever construction project. At peak construction, about 3,500 new jobs will be created and there will be up to 800 full-time positions once the reactors are producing electricity.
“Nuclear energy projects are the kind of economic boost America needs right now,” explained Christine Todd Whitman, CASEnergy co-chair and former Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. “With more than 20 reactors under consideration by the NRC, just imagine what this will mean for America’s struggling economy. While it is not the sole answer to the challenges we face – we can, and must, use more renewable energy and do much more to encourage conservation, but we must also recognize that neither of these approaches, alone, will give us the reliable affordable power we need now and in the future. If we are going to keep our economy growing and our country strong, we need a complete package of approaches to energy and nuclear energy should be a part of the mix.”
To learn more about nuclear energy as a clean and reliable source of energy, please visit: http://www.cleansafeenergy.org
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About The CASEnergy Coalition:
The CASEnergy Coalition is a national grassroots coalition of more than 2,300 members that unites unlikely allies across the business, environmental, academic, consumer and labor community to support nuclear energy. We believe that nuclear energy can improve energy security, ensure clean air quality, and enhance the quality of life and economic well-being of all Americans.
The Coalition is led by Co-Chairs Christine Todd Whitman, former Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and former New Jersey Governor, and Dr. Patrick Moore, a co-founder and former leader of Greenpeace. For more information about the CASEnergy Coalition, please visit http://www.cleansafeenergy.org.
