Congressional Perspective on Nuclear Power

Congressman Fred Upton is the ranking member on the Energy Sub-Committee (he would be the chairman if the Republicans controlled the house).  Today, as an officer of our Political Action Committee (PAC), I was my honor to be part of the group that welcomed Fred (as he insists on being called), to our Nuclear Power Plant.  He was at our plant to talk to our PAC members, and that was followed by a press conference.

 

Congressman Upton recently visited Cherbourg, France, where they have a nuclear waste re-processing facility [France produces about 90% of their energy via nuclear power].  Fred explained that for an individual that consumed energy produced by nuclear power for their entire lifetime, the amount of waste produced would be the size of a soda can.  If you in turn re-process this waste to be reused as re-cycled nuclear fuel, the amount of resulting waste would be the size of a 50-cent piece.  It would be much better to send 50-cent sized waste to Yucca Mountain than soda can size waste.  I thought that was a very easy to understand analogy.

 

As we move toward a nuclear renaissance, we have a lot of work to do if we want the renaissance to be home-grown phenomena.  In the 1970 – 1980’s, 85% of our nuclear power plant components were manufactured and steel companies and cable companies here in the United States. Congressman Upton believes that we need to send the message that the “Nuclear Green Light” is on to revitalize Universities, Steel Manufacturers, and other industries to keep jobs in America, and in the local community.  In order to ensure that at least 20% of our energy is provided by nuclear power, 52 new nuclear power plants will need to be built in America between now and 2030.

 

Congressman Upton further explained that the attitude in Washington D.C. is changing, providing a growing surge for a nuclear renaissance.  Last year, the U.S. supply of oil was reduced by 126,000 barrels per day, while our demand increased by 1,000,000 barrels per day.  This is further exacerbated by the increasing demand in other countries (i.e., China and India).  This has resulted in the near doubling of gasoline prices in the past year.  

 

The scenario for electricity prices is very similar.  In 2007, the Sierra Club batted 1000 in killing all proposed new coal plants.  In addition, Wall Street has indicated that they will not finance any new power plants, especially coal plants (our greatest energy source potential) unless it is a clean type of technology.

 

We must have an impetus to move toward other technologies, such as nuclear, coal with carbon sequestration, and new locations for renewable energy sources (i.e., windmills and solar).

 

New nuclear plants, at the cost of approximately $6,000,000,000 (yes that is billion as in big), is a big commitment for any company.  During the construction phase, this results in $600-$700 Million in benefit for the local economy, not to mention millions per year in taxes and economic benefit for every year that the plant is in operation.

 

That is enough for tonight, later this week, look for an entry regarding Congressman Upton’s perspective on the fall election :o)

Tags: Congressman Upton, Nuclear Power, blogplugs