Please submit questions for Maureen Koetz in advance and during the hour.

Moderator: Good afternoon and welcome to Viewpoint with our guest, Maureen Koetz. Maureen, thank you for joining us. When we think of mitigating global warming we don't usually think in terms of nuclear energy. Are more people beginning to acknowledge its role?

Maureen Koetz: Thanks, David. It's nice to join you today to discuss this important issue. You raise an important point. Emission controls have been targeted historically at activities, like producing electricity, that create air pollution. Controlling emissions from fossil sources has been the government's emphasis, but the United States historically has relied on clean sources of electricity, including nuclear power and renewables, for mitigating climate change because they generate electricity without any air emissions.

Greenbelt, MD: Hi--

Could you briefly discuss the quantum mechanics of global warming?

I'm asking since the mental image that most people have for "warming" is a small system -i.e., a pot of water coming to a boil-. And with a small system such as a pot of water, you can achieve very rapid temeperature changes -i.e., bring it to a boil by heating, take it off the heat and it stops boiling-.

But in global warming, we're dealing with a system which is the earth's atmosphere. I suspect the quantum mechanics of this large system don't lend themselves to rapid temperature changes.

Anyway, what are your thoughts?

Thanks!

Maureen Koetz: You're right, we are talking about a very big system. The Earth already benefits from what is called the greenhouse effect. Our atmosphere is enclosed by gases that allow light and heat in, but traps some of the heat so that the Earth is warm enough to sustain plant and animal life. We don't know the optimal temperature range to ensure the best conditions for all plant and animal life. And we know that temperature fluctuations, sometimes small, sometimes large, have occurred through history. It is a subject of scientific debate whether the temperatures we are experiencing today and the temperatures may occur in the future are, in fact, a positive or a negative. Certainly, we know that changes in temperature in the Earth's atmposhere occur at a slower rate than boiling water.

Most proponents of taking steps today to mitigate global warming believe it is an appropriate precautionary measure to slow temperature increases not expected for centuries to come. If this position is appropriate, then continued and expanded use of nuclear energy makes emminent sense. We will need to expand our electricity infrastructure around the world irrespective of global warming, so why not chose technologies today that give us the dual benefit of increased electricity and avoided greenhouse gas emissions.

Washington: I have always been troubled by the NEI assertion that Nuclear power doesn't contribute to global warming. Maybe you can tell me why I shouln't be. I don't question your assertion, but I am concerned about the manipulation of environmental truths. Sure nuclear power doen't contribute to greenhouse gasses or acid rain or rainforest destruction, population growth, overfishing, etc. Nuclear power has its own, unique environmental problems. What would you think if the oil-coal industries began campaigning that they are great because they don't create nuclear waste? I don't imagine that you will answer this, but I am curious none the less.

Maureen Koetz: Because nuclear energy is generated without combustion, and because uranium fuel contains no carbon or other greenhouse gas element, our electricity production does not result in emissions that contribute to global warming. In addition, for the same reasons, nuclear energy does not emit conventional air pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. This is clear scientific fact. All forms of electricity generation have the potential to impact the environment. The nuclear industry thinks it is appropriate to clearly demonstrate the attributes that avoid or otherwise prevent these adverse impacts.

Falls Church, VA: How does nuclear energy help the global climate change problem?

Maureen Koetz: Our electricity generation process does not result in any of the greenhouse gas emissions thought to be causing global warming, such as carbon dioxide and methane. Therefore, the 435 nuclear power plants worldwide, including 103 reactors in the United States, can help meet electricity demand without increasing the risk of global warming. The Unitd States and other nations are relying on nuclear energy to meet the carbon reductions in the Kyoto Protocol.

Reston, VA: Nuclear energy does not pollute the air, but it produces its own waste disposal problems. What are your views on the situation?

Maureen Koetz: You're right, all forms of electricity generation have some byproduct. The nuclear energy process creates used fuel that remains radioactive for thousands of years. This fuel must be safely managed in compliance with federal law, and it is stored safely today at nuclear power plants across the country. As a matter of fact, the commercial nuclear energy industry has one of the most successful waste management programs in U.S. industry today. All of the used fuel is accounted for, safely stored and isolated from the environment in a manner that successfully avoids adverse impacts to public health or the environment. This fuel management system should have a central repository, where the less than 40,000 tons of used fuel can be stored more efficiently.

Foster City CA: In response to the questions from Washington: It would be inacurate for the coal burning industry to claim that it did not contribute to radioactive waste. Tiny amounts of natural uranium are always present in coal. Because the coal fired plants use such huge amounts of fuel, they actually end up releasing tons of uranium oxide into the atmosphere. I'm not particularly frightened by this fact, however, I do know that not too many people know that. I also know that a nuclear power plant releases far less radiation to the public than a coal plant, for exactly this reason. Nuclear is the only major energy producing process that contains all of its own waste.

Maureen Koetz: Thanks for pointing out that nuclear energy plants manage all of our byproducts to minimize environmental impact. The industry also accounts for all of the costs of these environmental programs so there are no hidden costs to ensure this continued level of environmental protection.

Thomasville, GA: I am horribly worried about the melting of the Antarctic -and Arctic- icepack. Does nuclear energy help keep the
penguins alive and our sea-
shore towns unflooded?

Maureen Koetz: We join the many groups who are concerned about protecting the habitats and diverse animal life. Nuclear energy helps avoid the potential melting of ice caps because we make none of the emissions that could intensify the Earth's temperature. We also protect wildlife, including many endangered specifies, that happily live in marshes, grasslands and other habitats near nuclear power plants. There are no emissions or byproducts from the plant that harm these environments.

Norris, TN: How much of an investment in nuclear power will the US have to make to acheive a significant reduction in fossil-fuel emmissions?

Maureen Koetz: Today, 103 nuclear reactors produce 20 percent of the electricity used in the United States. Non-emitting technologies generate 30 percent of our electricity, with nuclear energy accounting for two-thirds of that emission free power. Nuclear energy also is responsible for one-third of the voluntary greenhouse gas reductions under the Department of Energy's Climate Challenge program since 1992. If we want to stablilize our current emission levels, we must maintain our nuclear energy and other non-emitting sources of electricity. To reduce carbon levels, the U.S. must increase its use of non-emitting large-scale sources of electricity and use technologies that reduce emissions from our fossil-fueled power plants.

Alexandria, VA: How will air quality issues affect the cost competitiveness of nuclear power plants?

Maureen Koetz: Nuclear power is already competitive in the electricity market, with production costs only slightly higher than the cheapest source of electricity--coal-fired plants. Today, emission-free sources of electricity don't have a system to value their contribution to clean air compliance. However, as the electricity industry changes under current restructuring efforts, non-emitting sources of electricity will have the opportunity to recover this value in the emerging markets, and we are likely to see an improvement in the overall economic competitiveness of large-scale emission-free sources, like nuclear power.

washington, d.c.: I've read a number of things through the years that say that what is needed for nuclear energy to succeed in the future are standardized reactor designs -as well as, potentially, smaller reactors that are less costly to build-. Are future reactors going to be smaller and built in a uniform, standardized fashion to reduce costs?

Maureen Koetz: Yes, future nuclear power plants will be build based on standardized designs developed over the last decade. Already, three standardized advanced reactor designs have been approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. These plant designs are being build in Asia, notably in Japan and Taiwan. These new plants, which will even safer and more economic to build, will be the next nuclear power plants built in the United States. Nations who are building these plants today realize the clean air benefits provided by advanced U.S. technology.

silver spring MD.: I am a huge fan of nuclear energy. My question is, is there any chance that the US will expand its nuclear generating capacity?

Maureen Koetz: Nuclear generation has been expanding. As a matter of fact, the equivalent of about a dozen new large power plants have come on line because our existing nuclear power plants have greatly improved their efficiency. We have concentrated on "growing" nuclear power by better using our existing plants. Many companies will also extend the operation of their plants for an additional 20 years. However, the time will come when more non-emitting power plants will be needed and that's when advanced reactors will be built to meet our energy demand and environmental goals.

Potomac, MD: If Nuclear Electricity is vital to the economic and environmental well-being of the U.S., why have some of the electric utilitiy companies elected to shut down their nuclear plants instead of getting the plant's license renewed? Why aren't new plants being ordered-built?

Maureen Koetz: Recently, a couple of nuclear power plants closed because they were too small to operate economically. But that was only a few. Most of the nuclear power plants are considering extending their operating licenses for an additional 20 years. For example, five reactors have applied to the NRC for license extention, and 20 more reactors are gearing up to do the same.

Washington, DC: Please comment on the U.S. ability to meet its CO2 reduction target under the Kyoto treaty if existing nuclear and hydro plants are not relicensed.

Maureen Koetz: Unforuntaly, other emission-free sources, such as solar and wind power, would not be able to replace large scale nuclear and hydro electric power because of limitations on their location and amount of electricity production. So, if nuclear and hydro electric plants are not available, the replacement power is likely to be sources that produce greenhouse gases. That brings overall emission levels up, not down, and puts us further away from our target of reducing greenhouse gases.

Arlington Virginia: Can you tell us where NEI stands in supporting or working in conjunction with other utilities that are trying to develop other renewable forms of energy such as solar, wind and geothermal?

Maureen Koetz: NEI recongizes the need for all clean sources of electricity and supports the expansion of solar and wind power as well as nuclear energy. NEI's members, which perate all nuclear power plants in the U.S., also generate electricity from various renewable sources, including solar, wind and biomass. We're going to need all of these electricity sources to meet our air quality goals and energy needs.

washington dc: I take it from your response to Norris, TN that existing nuclear and hydro capacity is important to meeting the Kyoto treaty requirements. Is the Administration on track to relicense these and any new facilities? Or is this an issue they don't want to talk about?

Maureen Koetz: It's an issue that the Administration prefers not to talk about, but we are working to ensure that nuclear power remains an important part of our energy and environmental future.

McLean, VA: Do you find it ironic that proponents of solar energy often own and use blow dryers?

Maureen Koetz: More importantly, they are linked to the Internet, which is driving increased electricity use. We're glad there are proponents of solar energy--they should be proponents of all emission-free sources of electrcity.

Rockville, MD: There are a lot of commercials on radio and TV in the DC metro area claiming there is or there is not global warming. Each say they have analysis to prove their point. As an engineer, I know that computation analysis has uncertainty and errors. The problem with this global warming debate is no one says what these uncertainties are or what that means. This is important in my mind because a large uncertainty means no one really knows what will happen! Can you shed any light, your thought or do you know what the global warming analysis uncertainties are?

Maureen Koetz: Uncertainty is a big element in the climate change debate. That's why we think that if you can make choice now about electricity development that satisfy the need for power, ensure diverse supply and provide precautionary steps to limit emissions all at the same time, then we should do it. That's why nuclear energy is an important part of our energy future.

Interestingly, there is no debate about the need to protect our air quality regarding conventional air pollutants, such as those that cause acid rain and smog. Using nuclear energy avoids the emissions of millions of tons of these pollutants each year and helps meet Clean Air Act requirements for many states, which otherwise would have to spend millions of dollars on pollution control technologies or limit economic development.

So even though we're not sure about global warming, we know we need nuclear energy to keep our air clean.

Springfield, VA: What can be done to enhance the role nuclear power plays in avoiding the release of air pollutants and greenhouse gases?

Maureen Koetz: Nuclear power plants over the past 20 years have improved their safety record and are more efficient than ever. Because of this four decades of experience and improved operation, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has underway a pilot program to make the oversight process for these plants more safety focused. This new regulatory process will ensure that nuclear plants will continue to devote resources to those areas most related to safety, and that they will operate efficiently in a deregulated marketplace.

Also, the emission trading markets need to be opened to clean air credits created by avoiding carbon and other air pollutants. That way, nuclear power plants can realize the value they provide to protecting air quality and human health, and will become an even more attractive investment beacuse this economic return is available.

Fairfax, VA: To achieve the goal of maintaining or reducing the total emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gasses, it is apparent that new non-emitting plants will have to be built to meet ever-increasing demand. However, the cost of new nuclear plants seems prohibitive.

Since current and pending utility deregulation will allow the consumer to choose the cheapest electricity sources available, how can the nuclear industry reduce costs of new plants to become competitive with emitting plants -oil, gas, etc-?

Maureen Koetz: It's not clear that price will be the only criterion used for electricity choices in the future. Americans now include environmental protection as an important value in making decision on their electricity provider. Reliability of supply also will be a critical element of large industrial choices about their electricity provider. Because of its effective clean air benefits and reliability, nuclear energy produces "quality" electricity that will expand its market potential beyond those who already buy nuclear power because of low cost.

Moderator: What are the expectations for progress at the Bonn meeting?

Maureen Koetz: Nuclear industry representatives from around the world continue to work cooperatively to better inform participants at the United Nations climate change conference about the value of nuclear energy in mitigating potential climate change. Each time we participate in these meetings, we find more and more countries around the world willing to examine the option of using nuclear energy in their own climate change efforts. We will continue at the Bonn meetings to provide information to delegates and continue growing our base of support for using nuclear as an important compliance tool in meeting climate change goals.

We don't anticipate that the parties to the climate change treaty will negotiate any significant new provisions to the existing treaty. However, we think there will be agreement on how best to use the tools, such as emissions trading, that are in the Kyoto Protocol, so that greenhouse gas emission reductions will, in fact, occur. Nuclear energy will have a place as a tool to meet these reductions.

Maureen Koetz: Thanks for the opportunity to chat with all of you. Unfortuantely, we weren't able to get to all of the questions today. If you have additional questions, please visit NEI's web site at www.nei.org. If you would like to ask a specific question, go to Nuclear Energy Basics and click on the "email us at NEI webmaster" link at the bottom of the page.

Moderator: That's all the time we have. Our thanks to everyone, especially Maureen Koetz and NEI.