ANS President touts economic, environmental benefits of nuclear energy
Speaking during a news conference at the Society's 2002 annual meeting here, Marcus stressed the economic and environmental benefits of nuclear energy.
"It would be irresponsible for our nation not to embrace the many benefits nuclear energy provides for our nation's increasing energy needs," said Marcus. "We are calling for the near-term deployment of new nuclear power plants to help the United States achieve energy security and to combat the effects of global climate changes.
"Our industry has proved time and again that the nuclear option not only benefits the economy but preserves the environment as well. Many scientists have concluded that global warming, produced in large part by emissions of the burning of fossil fuels, is a problem that must be addressed by our nation. If we are to achieve any degree of control over the ever-increasing emissions of greenhouse gases and harmful particulates, we must increase the share of our electricity mix from renewable fuels such as nuclear."
Nuclear energy accounts for about 70 percent of all the emission-free electric generation in the United States. Failure to build new nuclear power plants would mean a significant increase in the emission of greenhouse gases and harmful particulates; more rapid depletion of finite fossil fuels; and growing reliance on foreign suppliers.
Marcus said nuclear operating plants are performing at their highest levels ever by every measure: safety, reliability, availability and cost.
While stressing the need for the near-term deployment of new nuclear power plants, Marcus called on the United States Senate to clear the way for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to consider the license application of Yucca Mountain as the nation's first geological repository.
"Our nation stands on the verge of taking a giant leap toward solving one of the most controversial issues involving nuclear energy: the safe storage of spent nuclear fuel and high-level nuclear waste," said Marcus. "Yucca Mountain repository represents a huge step for the future of nuclear energy.
"It is our hope that the Senate will recognize the features of Yucca Mountain that our members, as well as the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, the House of Representatives and the Department of Energy, embraced when endorsing this site: that it has the characteristics and the engineering to exceed the high regulatory standard for public health and safety."
For more information regarding the American Nuclear Society and its positions, please go to its web site at www.ans.org/pi/ps/.
