U.S. has great need for nuclear power

I have worked virtually my entire professional life at the intersection of environmental and energy issues. I worked at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency where, among other things, I was assistant administrator for air and radiation. I had primary responsibility for the development, implementation and enforcement of regulations under the Clean Air Act. For example, I played a primary role in eliminating lead from gasoline, was deeply involved in the regulation of acid-rain-causing chemicals, the tightening of national ambient air quality standards and played a significant role in what has become known as the emissions trading policy. More than two decades ago I was a founding member of the Climate Institute.

As a lawyer, I represented clients involved in virtually every area of energy production and distribution, from coal-fired power plants, oil production and refining companies, natural gas production and distribution companies to companies involved in nearly all aspects of nuclear power (including EnergySolutions) and alternative energy. (I own a very small interest in a coal-to-liquid company and have more significant involvement and ownership in a company devoted to the development of tidal energy.) In corporate life, for many years I was the CEO of Geneva Steel, one of the largest consumers of electricity and natural gas in the state of Utah.

I apologize for this brief disclaimer, but I wanted to disclose my engagement in energy and environmental policy. One of the liberating aspects of my present job is that I can give my opinion without encumbrance of employment or representation of groups that have a particular stake in environmental and energy policy.

Most countries in the world, including our country and state, are committed to reducing greenhouse gases. Unhappily, this comes at a time when demand for electricity continues to increase. According to energy specialist Peter Huber, about 60 percent of our domestic economy comes from industries and services that run on electricity (in 1950 that figure was only 20 percent). All the fastest growth sectors of the economy depend entirely on electricity. In order to meet this increased demand in the United States over the next 25 years, we will need to build the equivalent of 300 new 1,000-megawatt power plants.

Many hope that this demand can be met by conservation and the use of renewable fuels. There is no plausible scenario by which this is possible. Even the most enthusiastic wind energy supporters, for example, believe that only 6 percent of our electricity will come from wind by 2025. Other observers think that number is much lower.