NEI reports that EPA Chief, G. McCarthy, reiterated this week that nuclear energy facilities need to continue operating if the EPA Clean Power Plan to reduce electric sector carbon emissions is to succeed. Ninety-nine reactors operating in 30 states generate 63 percent of the non-carbon emitting electricity.
McCarthy, speaking at a Washington event on energy and climate sponsored by The Wall Street Journal, said the EPA desires an energy mix that includes all sources of generation to provide for cleaner air while still enabling economic growth. During the event, McCarthy acknowledged the need for nuclear energy.
Nuclear has a big role today in reducing carbon and that will continue, and we point this out to the states that existing facilities providing large baseload capacity must continue to operate, McCarthy said. Nuclear is truly zero carbon emissions. He also emphasized the need for new nuclear plants, while acknowledging that the cost of new plants is challenging in the short term. But as we move from fossil fuels to a clean energy future I believe those costs will come down, she said.
The NEI has described the EPA final Clean Power Plan as a win for the U.S. nuclear energy industry. Brian Deese, senior advisor to President Obama on climate, conservation and energy policy, added to his assessment of the value of nuclear energy in climate policy. In contrast to the McCarthy domestic focus, he discussed the expansion of nuclear energy internationally. Nuclear will be an important part of how countries across the world make the transition to cleaner sources of electricity, Deese said.
Deese told the audience he had recently been to China, which has 28 operational reactors, 24 under construction and dozens more planned. The Chinese nuclear build program is an explicit part of its carbon reduction plans as well.
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