Gov. Whitman Highlights Safety of U.S. Nuclear Industry
On Monday, April 11, the one month anniversary of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, CASEnergy co-chair Christine Todd Whitman was in New York City for a variety of interviews with top-tier print and broadcast outlets including MSNBC, CNN, TIME and POLITICO. She also discussed the importance of clean, safe nuclear power by phone with key influencers and organizations including Columbia, South Carolina mayor Steve Benjamin and the Georgia Public Policy Foundation.
Gov. Whitman spoke with POLITICO energy reporter Darius Dixon, who tapped her expertise about nuclear power in addition to her perspective as a former EPA administrator, given the current debate in Congress over the agency’s authority to regulate greenhouse gases. Dixon posted his piece to POLITICO Pro later that afternoon.
Gov. Whitman then appeared live on MSNBC’s Jansing & Co and CNN’s Newsroom with Suzanne Malveaux. In both segments, which focused on the future of nuclear in the U.S. in light of the situation in Japan, Gov. Whitman highlighted the measures the industry has taken – and continues to take – to ensure the safety and security of the U.S. nuclear fleet.
The governor also met with TIME environmental columnist Bryan Walsh at the magazine’s Manhattan headquarters. In the interview, she addressed safety concerns, discussed the Coalition and stressed the need for a comprehensive portfolio of clean energy sources, including nuclear, in order to meet the country’s growing energy demands.
In addition to top-tier media interviews, Gov. Whitman also spoke via phone with key influencers about the benefits of nuclear power. She spoke with Steve Benjamin, the first African-American mayor of Columbia. Benjamin, who is also a CASEnergy member, reaffirmed his support for nuclear power as a vital part the state’s clean energy portfolio.
Gov. Whitman conducted a briefing call with the leaders of the Georgia Public Policy Foundation. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the Foundation is an independent think tank that proposes market-oriented approaches to public policy to improve the lives of Georgians. During the 30-minute call, Gov. Whitman provided an update on the Coalition and the U.S. nuclear industry post-Fukushima, stressed Georgia’s critical importance in the continuing national dialogue on the future of nuclear energy and fielded several questions from GPPF employees.
