On Thursday, July 22, Dr. Moore met with representatives from the technology industry and policy arena where he was able to answer questions about the Hanford site, loan guarantees, spent fuel storage and recycling and also discuss past plans to build nuclear power plants in the state.

Dr. Moore also offered remarks to nearly 175 members of the Tacoma Rotary Thursday where he highlighted the clean air and economic benefits of nuclear energy, explained how the science of nuclear fuel works and answered many of the Rotary’s questions.

Also on Thursday, Dr. Moore once again joined five-time Emmy award winner Dennis Miller on his nationally syndicated talk radio program, the Dennis Miller Show where Dr. Moore addressed nuclear’s excellent safety record, discussed job creation potential and highlighted CASEnergy’s Policy Roadmap for Clean Energy.

Lastly, Dr. Moore’s op-ed was published in The News Tribune, the state’s third largest newspaper, which discussed the key role that nuclear energy plays as part of Washington’s clean energy portfolio, and the growing support for nuclear expansion in the state:

“Washington’s energy mix is a snapshot into the nation’s clean energy future – and with the state actively involved in supporting the nuclear industry’s growth, that picture is getting brighter every day,” Dr. Moore wrote.

First, on Monday, July 12, the Governor held a nationwide CASEnergy member call from San Antonio to explain the four points of the CASEnergy Policy Roadmap for Clean Energy, to discuss the efforts surrounding the new initiative and next steps going forward, to highlight how members and others can help with efforts in their area and to answer questions from Coalition members and call participants.

During the two days that the Governor was at the conference, she was able to meet with a number of important Latino organizations and their leaders.

Governor Whitman discussed with them how nuclear energy power plants can be a vehicle for good, well-paying jobs in the Latino community, citing a program Miami-Dade College in South Florida has with NextEra Energy (formerly Florida Power & Light).

With the national unemployment rate among Latinos at 12.4 percent, compared to the national average of just under 10 percent, many wanted to hear about the economic benefits nuclear has to offer. To that end, Gov. Whitman explained that of the clean energy technology options available now, none is better-suited than nuclear energy at supplying large amounts of electricity that does not pollute the air, together with creating thousands of needed jobs within Latino communities.

The Governor added that nuclear energy facilities often act as economic hubs in local communities by luring new businesses and increasing a tax base that provides good schools, libraries and other critical infrastructure – all of these would greatly help to strengthen Latino communities.

The same week of the conference, Gov. Whitman and Juan C. Zapata, Chair of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO) Education Fund and a CASEnergy member, co-wrote an editorial that was published in the Austin American Statesman on July 9, titled, “Jump-start job creation by focusing on how we produce, use and conserve energy.” In the editorial, the two discuss how nuclear expansion will help Texas meet its anticipated 48 percent growth in electricity demand by 2030, which is more than double the national average. The editorial also highlights the economic benefits of nuclear energy for both the state of Texas and the Latino community, with specific regard to the job creation potential of the two proposed reactors at NRG Energy’s South Texas Project in Matagorda County.

The sum is set aside to educate the next generation of nuclear scientists and engineers.  Through its Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP), the DOE is allocating $5 million in scholarships and fellowships to 117 American nuclear science and engineering students. Eight-five of those scholarships will go to undergraduate students, and 32 fellowships will go to graduate students in relevant fields.

Each scholarship student can expect to receive $5,000 to cover the cost of education over the next year while fellowship students can expect to pocket $50,000 a year over a three year period to pay for graduate studies and research.

The remaining $13.2 million in grants will go to 39 universities and colleges, enabling the purchase of new equipment and upgrades to research reactors. To view the list of awardees, visit this link.

“Restarting the U.S. nuclear industry is a critical part of our efforts to build a clean energy economy and create new clean energy jobs,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, according to a Department of Energy press release.  “To ensure American leadership in the global nuclear energy industry, we need a skilled workforce for years to come.  This investment will give our students the support and resources they need to advance nuclear energy and keep America at the forefront of the nuclear industry.”

According to the release, the Department has provided more than $80 million in funding to U.S. universities and students through NEUP since 2008.

Dr. Moore began his trip by addressing more than 20 members of the Beaufort Kiwanis Club in a 30-minute speech and answered questions about the role of nuclear as part of a clean energy policy.

He highlighted the numerous job opportunities available in the nuclear energy sector to students and faculty at Lowcountry Technical College and the College of Charleston. Prior to the Lowcountry event, Dr. Moore sat down with Josh Dawsey of the Beaufort Gazette to outline the economic and environmental benefits of new nuclear energy in South Carolina.

Dr. Moore also discussed the environmental benefits of nuclear energy with the Coastal Conservation League in Charleston, and the S.C. State Ports Authority.

While in South Carolina, Dr. Moore addressed key regional media in conjunction with his meetings with business and environmental leaders and students in South Carolina, including meetings with top daily and business press, The Beaufort Gazette, Charleston Regional Business Journal, and a popular local news talk radio program, The Rocky D Show. 

In these interviews Dr. Moore discussed CASEnergy’s Policy Roadmap for Clean Energy as it pertains to South Carolina, with regard to the enormous job creation potential of new nuclear - especially relevant in a state with four new reactors under consideration by the NRC, and with nearly half of its nuclear engineers eligible for retirement by 2013.

• Gov. Whitman’s day began with a live appearance on Richmond radio’s “Morning News with Jimmy Barrett” on WRVA-AM. During the interview she emphasized the need for a comprehensive energy portfolio, which would include the expansion of nuclear energy. Richmond’s “Morning News with Jimmy Barrett” is a two-time winner of the Virginia Association of Broadcasters’ “Best Morning Show” award.
• After calling into Richmond’s “Morning News,” Gov. Whitman spoke with NPR’s national environmental correspondent, Elizabeth Shogren. The conversation began with a focus on clean energy policy and nuclear’s role as part of climate legislation, and then transitioned to the economic merits of nuclear energy, in which Gov. Whitman highlighted the enormous job creation potential of nuclear expansion. 
• Gov. Whitman also spoke with Scott Dance of the Baltimore Business Journal about the new reactor proposed at Calvert Cliffs in Maryland. Whitman and Dance discussed nuclear energy in Maryland, and how building a new reactor at Calvert Cliffs will bring jobs to the area as well as attract new business to the state. 
• In the afternoon Gov. Whitman taped an interview with Sky Radio Network’s Energy Advisor program, in which she spoke about the need for a comprehensive portfolio of energy solutions – including new nuclear – to meet the nation’s growing energy needs. Energy Advisor has recently featured a variety of leaders in the energy space, including T. Boone Pickens and White House energy and climate change czar Carol Browner. The program will air on both the Fortune Channel on American Airlines and CNN’s Airport Channel this September and October.  
• To round out the day, Gov. Whitman talked to GreenSense Radio’s Robert Colangelo about energy policy and the environmental merits of nuclear power. GreenSense Radio is a weekly radio program covering environmental and sustainability topics that airs each Sunday on WCPT–AM in Chicago, and has a loyal podcast following. You can also listen to CASEnergy Coalition co-chair Dr. Patrick Moore’s interview with GreenSense from April 4. 

Please click above to view/listen to the articles and interviews as they are posted online.

In her interview, Gov. Whitman spoke about her role as a leader in the energy field, highlighted the history of her involvement with the CASEnergy Coalition, some of the leadership challenges faced around environmental issues, and the growing support for nuclear in both Washington and among Americans across the country. To view the interview, visit the WashingtonPost.com’s On Leadership website.

On Wednesday, May 12, the CASEnergy Coalition held an event to release the Coalition’s four-point Policy Roadmap for Clean Energy to help the nation build the next generation of nuclear reactors and reach its clean energy goals.

The event was led by CASEnergy Co-Chairs Christine Todd Whitman and Dr. Patrick Moore at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on May 12 at 1:30 p.m.

The Coalition had a line-up of top speakers from across the industry that presented on our nation’s path forward to reaching its clean energy targets. Our speakers included:

• CASEnergy Co-Chair Christine Todd Whitman, former EPA Administrator and New Jersey Governor
• CASEnergy Co-Chair Dr. Patrick Moore, co-founder of Greenpeace
• Stephen Moret, Secretary, Louisiana Economic Development
• Denise Bode, Chief Executive Officer, American Wind Energy Association
• Daniel S. Lipman, Senior Vice President, Operations Support & Core Process Innovation, Westinghouse

For more information, visit our new “Policy Roadmap for Clean Energy” page.

Newsweek contributing editor and columnist George Will penned an article for the magazine’s April 19 issue making the case for new nuclear in the United States.  In the piece, Will highlights the environmental benefits, safety and cost efficiency of nuclear power. He also outlines the benefits of nuclear when compared to other energy sources, including coal, solar power and wind power.  Please click here to view the full article.

Click here to find out why all these different voices are supporting nuclear energy and what you need to know to make your choice to support nuclear energy?

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.”