Energy, National Security, Economics and the Environment

The global demand for energy in all forms has been expanding and is projected to continue to grow.  The growth rate in developing countries such as China, India, Brail and Russia is well above the global average.  And even in developed countries such as in Western Europe and the US, where growth rates are below the global average, the need for additional energy is a pressing issue.  Meeting this growing demand is a global challenge unprecedented in human history.

Fuels for transport and generation of electricity lead the growing demand with oil and coal as the historically dominate fuel sources for these needs.  However, national security, economic and environmental concerns are forcing people to look hard at how they obtain and use energy.  Electricity is increasingly the energy form of choice, but generating it in the meaningful amounts needed while meeting the aforementioned concerns leads to one answer.

The Answer:  Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy is the only currently available technology that can produce the baseload electricity needed to power industry, cities and people for the near and mid term future and already provides 20% of world electricity, with hydro being the only other comparable source of “clean” energy.  Nuclear energy carries with it a broad range of short and long term issues.  Experience has shown these issues to be manageable, even strengths, when put in context with other energy options.  Nuclear energy is a powerful technology subject to heavy regulation and a high public policy profile.  Any commitment to nuclear energy (operational, political or financial) requires comparable understanding and careful analysis of the industry, its potential and its challenges.. 

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