Shellenberger to Senate: Keep nuclear

March 18, 2021, 7:19AMANS Nuclear Cafe

Shellenberger

In testimony last Thursday before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Michael Shellenberger, founder and president of Environmental Progress, called for maintaining the current U.S. fleet of nuclear power reactors. He argued that the premature closure of nuclear plants threatens the reliability, resiliency, and affordability of the nation’s electricity supply, as well as its ability to reduce carbon emissions.

Without state or federal action, 12 reactors will close by 2025, resulting in the loss of 10.5 GW of “highly reliable, low-cost, and low-carbon power,” Shellenberger noted in his written statement. He added, “If those nuclear plants are lost, grids may suffer from energy shortages during future heat waves or cold snaps.”

The whole story: Shellenberger’s 11-page written statement can be read online.

The committee hearing—which also featured James Robb, president and chief executive officer of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation; Mark Gabriel, administrator and CEO of the Western Area Power Administration; Pat Wood III, CEO of Hunt Energy Network and former chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; and Manu Asthana, president and CEO of PJM Interconnection—can be viewed online.

Shellenberger’s comments begin at the one-hour-four-minute mark.


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