Obama administration's “lack of clarity” for a new nuclear generation...

The sense at the executive opening plenary at the ANS Annual meeting in Atlanta was that the current Obama administration continues to send mixed messages regarding its support for new nuclear plants.

William Burchill, ANS president summarized the current situation as a “lack of clarity” in terms of support for nuclear -- even though the industry has made a lot of progress in the last 5 years with 25 COL applications and 4 EPC contracts signed.

David Ratcliff, CEO of Southern Company clearly stated that we must expand nuclear, saying we need 16 more plants to just keep the current 20% contribution to US generation.

During Obama’s speech February 24, there was no mention of nuclear as part of a portfolio of solutions. In his speech in March from Prague, Obama did mention that we should harness the potential of nuclear power.

Nuclear is an under utilized source for U.S. energy needs. The Obama administration needs to come out strongly in support of a new nuclear generation and long term plan for the operation of existing plants.