Thursday, August 21, 2008

Congressman James Clyburn Sponsors Nuclear Power Conference

House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) is sponsoring a nuclear power conference entitled, "Securing Our Future: The Nuclear Alternative," in Charleston, South Carolina from August 21-23, 2008. Congressman Clyburn supports nuclear power and half of South Carolina's electricity is generated by fission. The conference will address the following questions about nuclear power:

Is nuclear energy a viable, cost-effective alternative to other generation methods?

Is it safe and reliable?

Will environmental justice concerns be addressed when planning, building and operating nuclear energy facilities?

Under what circumstances will American embrace nuclear energy as an acceptable alternative to existing generation methods?

Assuming a new generation of nuclear powered generating stations are built, does America have a sufficiently educated and trained workforce to build, operate and maintain such facilities in a safe, reliable fashion?

The conference document states that:
Until these questions are answered to the satisfaction of citizens, public and private interest groups, corporation, policy-makers and elected officials, the future of nuclear powered generating stations is unclear
The South Carolina Congressional delegation along with the governor and mayor the city have been invited to provide opening remarks. Panels include: The Nuclear Regulatory Process as a Function of Government, A Utility Industry Perspective on the Nuclear Regulatory Process, A Wall Street Perspective on the Financial Realities of Nuclear Energy, Disposal, Transportation and Storage of Radioactive Waste Material, 21st Century Technology and the Nuclear Energy Industry, The Community/Citizen Perspective on Nuclear Energy, Workforce Development for the Nuclear Energy Industry, and Energy and the Election.


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