The nation needs to become less dependent on foreign oils and focus more on increasing the use of green energy, which must include a commitment to nuclear energy. Nuclear production costs are not only the lowest among other electricity sources – nuclear plants are long term investments. To create the same power as a nuclear plant, solar and wind powers would cost more, take equally as long to build and take up more land. Pennsylvania must continue to rely on nuclear power as a clean and safe energy source.
Latest PA Energy Alliance News
Letters to the Editor-Nuclear energy must be a consideration
The Patriot-News
by Karen Walsh
June 18, 2010
House Bill 2405’s goal of increasing clean-energy production does not cite nuclear energy as a source of clean-energy production. Nuclear energy is Pennsylvania’s most promising candidate of reliable, carbon emission-free electricity. By making state-of-the-art enhancements at the state’s existing plants, known as nuclear uprates, nuclear energy could boost the economy by creating over 2,000 jobs and save Pennsylvania electricity consumers more than $100 million annually.
Bill Updates Clean Energy Portfolio Standards
The Pennsylvania Independent
by Darwynn Deyo
June 14, 2010
Although House Bill 2405 allows for 14 different types of “alternative energy sources,” nuclear energy is not included. However, Representative Thomas Killion has proposed an amendment to include nuclear uprates, or efficiency upgrades at existing plants, as a qualifying resource. Karen Walsh, Chairman of the PA Energy Alliance, said, “We support including nuclear uprates in HB 2405 because it is the most reliable form of clean energy that exists. We certainly support solar and wind and hydro but none of them have the ability to provide the reliable, round the clock source of electricity generation that nuclear does.”
Letter to the Editor
The Daily American
by John Oliver, Alliance Advisory Board Member
May 13, 2010
Nuclear power uprates must be included with wind, solar, biomass and geothermal as “green” energy sources under Pennsylvania’s new alternative energy standards (House Bill 80). Expanding power output at nuclear plants such as Exelon’s Peach Bottom facility can safely produce up to 20 percent more reliable, carbon-free electricity, save Pennsylvania consumers $137 million annually in electric costs and reduce carbon emissions the equivalent of removing 700,000 cars from our roads. There is no time to delay. Nuclear uprates belong in our state’s alternative energy portfolio.
Old foes welcome clean fuel: Rising demand for emission-free energy is spurring a nuclear rebirth
The Philadelphia Inquirer
by Patrick Moore
November 5, 2009
Nuclear energy, a prime source of electricity for Pennsylvania, is finally getting the respect it deserves.
It’s not hard to see why: America’s power needs continue to grow, and meeting them without harming the environment calls for every available nonpolluting energy source. Nuclear energy is the most dependable and cost-effective such option.
It isn’t the only solution, of course. Wind, geothermal, and other renewable energy sources will likely become a bigger part of Pennsylvania’s energy portfolio, and America’s. But nuclear energy will be expected to shoulder the biggest load.
Let nukes clear air
The Scranton Times Tribune
by Karen Walsh, Executive Director, PA Energy Alliance
October 21, 2009
Editor: In 2004 Pennsylvania passed an act mandating that a certain percentage of electricity come from legislatively approved clean energy sources such as wind, solar and clean coal technology.
The act failed to include nuclear energy, which produces more than 70 percent of the country’s carbon-free electricity and nearly 35 percent of Pennsylvania’s overall electricity. Nuclear energy is the only clean energy source that can produce electricity 24 hours a day.
Nuclear to Help Power Pennsylvania’s Clean Energy Future, Says CASEnergy Co-Chair
Clean and Safe Energy Coalition
by
October 19, 2009
In Philadelphia on October 1, CASEnergy Co-Chair Dr. Patrick Moore was the featured speaker a Pennsylvania Energy Alliance luncheon – an event that included members of the PA Energy Alliance and the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. During his presentation, Dr. Moore highlighted the important role that nuclear power can play in helping Pennsylvania and the United States meet goals to increase the percentage of energy that comes from clean sources.
Next wave of nuclear plants will move nation to forefront in clean energy technology
The Allentown Morning Call
by Forrest J. Remick
October 9, 2009
In an era with public anxiety over global warming, nuclear power is looking better; it has shown that it can reduce the carbon dioxide emissions that some link to climate change. Nuclear power plants produce 70 percent of this country’s emission-free electricity. In recent years the 104 U.S. nuclear plants have been producing electricity at an average of more than 90 percent of the time. By comparison, wind turbines operate only intermittently, no more than 30 percent of the time, and solar plants, 20 percent. Thus, these expensive plants sit idle 70 percent to 80 percent of the time, requiring backup capacity from other sources.
Letter to the editor: Expand Nuclear Energy
The Altoona Mirror
by Forrest J. Remick, Alliance Advisory Board Member
October 1, 2009
As Pennsylvania Legislators debate alternative energy strategies contained in House Bill 80, they must not lose sight of the state’s single most important green energy resource – nuclear energy. Nuclear power plants produce 70 percent of this country’s emission-free electricity.
Letter to the editor: Include nuclear
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
by John Oliver, Alliance Advisory Board Member
September 30, 2009
Nuclear power must be included with wind, solar, biomass and geothermal as “green” energy sources under Pennsylvania’s new alternative energy standards (HB 80). Expanding power output at nuclear plants such as Exelon’s Peach Bottom facility can safely produce up to 20 percent more reliable, 24/7 carbon-free electricity, save Pennsylvania consumers $137 million annually in electric costs and reduce carbon emissions the equivalent of removing 700,000 cars from our roads.