Lauren Bellero reports that educating the public on climate change related to the U.S. nuclear industry has been a challenge, according to Marvin Fertel, President and CEO of the Nuclear Energy Institute. Fertel was one of several panelists from the nuclear industry that participated in American Nuclear Energy Future - A Policy Discussion hosted by the NEI and The Hill on June 2.
We are seeing reasonably good public support for nuclear energy, but we need to continue to educate on climate change, Fertel said, citing a recent public opinion poll it conducted in March. Climate change was only given top importance by 52 per cent of those surveyed, but the long-term significance of nuclear power is garnering more support. He said 66 per cent of those polled were in favor of adding new nuclear reactors at the site of the nearest operating plant, if more electricity supply were needed.
Eileen Claussen, the former head of the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, said three significant issues stand out with the nuclear energy industry and climate change, specifically in relation to U.S. EPA proposed Clean Power Plan.
The first is dealing with existing plants that might be shut down. Obviously you want to keep those plants operating, she said. If you care about climate change, which is the purpose of the rule, you are going to want and need those plants to operate.
The second, she said, was nuclear plants under construction that could be affected by the EPA plan, and the third, preparing for the future.
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