CASEnergy Member: Nuclear is “Best Bet” to Meet Clean Energy Needs
CASEnergy member Professor Joseph Comfort recently participated in a local Phoenix ABC segment, “Hear Me Out,” which examines two sides of a particular local issue. Prof. Comfort, who is a Professor of Physics at Arizona State University and was a charter member of the Department of Energy Nuclear Energy Research Advisory Committee, suggested the increased use of clean nuclear energy in response to the question: “What’s the best hope for our energy future in Phoenix and why?” Nuclear currently produces 27.9% of Arizona’s electricity.
In his response, Prof. Comfort addresses growing energy demands in the U.S., the recent increase in applications for new nuclear energy facilities, the development of new reactor designs and the economic benefits of nuclear. Prof. Comfort writes:“Nuclear generators emit no GHG. In addition, power companies are finding them to be economically viable. Construction costs are the biggest item, due in part to the safety-conscious regulatory environment in which nuclear operates, but their operation costs are the lowest of any clean energy or baseload power source. The NRC’s very conservative environment ensures that the US nuclear generators operate at the highest safety level. The record is enviable… Substantially expanding the roughly 20 percent of our energy that comes from nuclear, which makes up more than 70 percent of our emissions-free energy, remains the best bet to continue meeting our needs.”
Daniel Peter Aiello, president of Arizona Solar Center, Inc., spoke on the expansion of solar energy in his opposing response.
Please read the full response here.
