27 Apr (NucNet): US congressional leaders and the country’s nuclear energy industry have responded swiftly to remarks by the chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, who last week said there is no need to build coal or nuclear plants to meet future electricity demand.
“We may not need any, ever,” Jon Wellinghoff said of future nuclear and coal plants at a US Energy Association forum for the media. “I think baseload capacity is going to become an anachronism,” he said. “Ultimately wind’s going to be the cheapest thing to do.
“If you can ‘shape’ your renewables, you don't need fossil fuel or nuclear plants to run all the time,” said Mr Wellinghoff, whose agency oversees interstate electric and gas transportation.
Senator Lindsey Graham, the South Carolina Republican, said: “I’m afraid if we follow his advice, we may be marching into darkness. To suggest a few sources of alternative energy alone could handle our future energy needs – in place of new nuclear or coal plants – defies reality.”
The US Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) said Mr Wellinghoff is at odds with other members of the Obama administration. On the same day as Wellinghoff’s announcement, energy secretary Steven Chu noted that expanding nuclear energy remains a priority for the administration. “We are trying to start the American nuclear industry again,” he said.
Kristina Johnson, the nominee for under-secretary of energy, told members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee last week that the nation needs a comprehensive energy policy that includes nuclear, coal with carbon capture and storage, renewable energy, and energy efficiency and conservation.
In a response to Mr Wellinghoff’s comments sent to members of Congress and their staff, the NEI noted the clear need for nuclear plants to meet energy and environmental policy objectives.
“Contrary to chairman Wellinghoff’s remarks, nuclear power plants must be part of a balanced approach to meet future electricity needs... as Congress begins consideration of climate change legislation this week, the role of nuclear energy is even more important if we are to meet our future energy needs while significantly reducing greenhouse gases,” the NEI said.
>>Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers)
Industry Responds To USD 206 Million Budget Cut For Yucca Mountain (News No. 29, 12 March 2009)
US Nuclear Industry ‘Needs New People And Infrastructure’ (News in Brief No. 45, 21 April 2009)
