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Baseload demand gets a rhetorical workout
Psst! Wanna see some rhetorical fireworks about nuclear energy and coal? Then reserve a free seat at the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) forum Oct 29th in Washington, DC.
The topic is whether expanded use of nuclear power and coal is inevitable in our climate-constrained future, and if so, how best to manage them. There are some people who believe we don't need any more baseload power plants -- that solar, wind, and energy conservation can meet our needs. And, some of these people have President Obama's ear which may account for his tone deafness when it comes to nuclear energy.
There are other views. Patrick Moore, the founder of Greenpeace, says that nuclear power is essential to combating climate change. Producers of coal maintain that it is impossible to ignore the most-abundant fossil fuel -- and that it can compete with lower-carbon energy sources. OK, see it’s a debate so be civil about it.
Jon Wellinghoff, Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, (right) will be among the panelists participating in the Forum. Representing a very different viewpoint, Wellinghoff once told reporters, "we may not need any, ever," referring to new coal and nuclear power plants. This guy has gone out of this way to be a lightning rod for the electric power industry, which his agency regulates. Talk about controversy?
State regulators, meanwhile, are responsible to ratepayers and pollution control mandates. Environmental organizations have mostly opposed expanded use of both energy sources.
To represent the diversity of this debate, the following panelists will
contribute to the Forum: My comments about them are in italics.
Matthew L. Wald, New York Times energy reporter (Moderator) (covers all the energy news that’s fit to print)- Peter Bradford, Vice-Chair, Union of Concerned Scientists (anti-nuclear activist despite having once served as an NRC commissioner)
- Hon. Garry Brown, Chairman, New York State Public Service Commission (New York’s state attorney general Andrew Cuomo wants to close Indian Point)
- Alex Flint, Senior Vice President of Governmental Affairs, Nuclear Energy Institute (pro nuclear utility trade group)
- Mike Morris, President and CEO, American Electric Power (owns & operates nuclear, coal, gas, and wind power plants)
- Jon Wellinghoff, Chairman, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (arch druid of “no” to new nukes and new coal plants)
WHEN: October 29, 2009, 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Speakers will begin promptly at 4:00 PM
WHERE: Omni Shoreham Hotel; Hampton Ballroom; 2500 Calvert St NW Washington, DC 20008
RSVP: This event is free and open to the public; however, space is limited. To reserve, e-mail: bkitchen@eli.org. Please reserve by October 23, 2009.
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