ANS urges building advanced Generation IV nuclear energy plants
"The American Nuclear Society's Board of Directors supports the design, construction and operation of a Generation IV nuclear energy plant in the near term to maintain United States leadership in nuclear energy, address the environmental issues of carbon dioxide buildup in the environment, nuclear non-proliferation and to maintain the interest of our young generation to enter the field of nuclear engineering, science and technology."
Dr. Andrew C. Kadak, President of ANS, stated, "This resolution is meant to support the Generation IV international workshop that was convened by the U.S. Department of Energy earlier this year to establish international cooperation for the development of this type of power system." Generation IV nuclear plants are defined as plants which are smaller, modular, cost competitive, proliferation resistant and have improved safety levels over current nuclear plants.
"As a result of the [U.S.] Department of Energy's Nuclear Energy Research Initiative (NERI), numerous proposals for such plants have been developed. While the Department is proceeding down the path of developing a Generation IV plant, the present schedule of 15 years or more for deployment is far too distant," Kadak continued. "ANS is attempting to bring some expediency to the President's Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) recommendations."
PCAST, in its second report on Research, Demonstration, Development and Deployment of Energy Technologies, recommended a United States role in not only research and development but also development and deployment of energy technologies. While nuclear energy did not have a demonstration and deployment element due to concerns of non-proliferation, Generation IV plants address this concern. According to Kadak, "A government role for nuclear energy technologies should be part of an overall energy demonstration and deployment policy initiative."
"The early timing of this initiative is particularly important for two reasons: (1) to maintain U.S. leadership in nuclear energy technology and (2) to show students that there is a future in nuclear engineering disciplines which is so important to maintain a U.S. based infrastructure," Kadak stated. "For those reasons, we are calling upon Congress to include funding in 2001 to initiate a more aggressive Generation IV program."
ANS is a not-for-profit, international, scientific and educational organization. It was established in 1954 by professionals in diverse fields to promote the advancement of engineering and science relating to the atomic nucleus, and of allied sciences and arts. More than 11,000 individuals belong to the Society and exchange research, provide scholarships, hold meetings, and disseminate information on nuclear science and technology.
The full resolution is attached.
