Climate Change, Nuclear Energy, and Combating Terror
Christopher Crane of the Exelon Corporation, the Department of Energy’s Daniel Poneman, and Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists’ Rachel Bronson discussed whether nuclear power can be safe and economical.
About This Event
Nuclear energy is at the core of a perpetual and fierce public debate on terrorism and climate change. For decades, nonproliferation and a "not in my backyard" approach to nuclear energy production have dominated headlines. At the same time, burgeoning concern over global warming has elevated interest in nuclear energy as an alternative to fossil fuels. The United States gets nearly 20% of its total energy from nuclear energy, according to the Energy Information Administration, but over half of its carbon-free power. In an era of cheap natural gas and falling prices for wind and solar energy, the question is whether nuclear power can be safe, secure, and economical or if its time has come and gone?
About the Speakers
President and CEO, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
Rachel Bronson is the president and CEO of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. She oversees the publishing programs, management of the Doomsday Clock, and a growing set of activities around nuclear risk, climate change, and disruptive technologies. Before joining the Bulletin, Bronson served as the vice president of studies at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
Christopher Crane
President, Chief Executive Officer, Exelon Corporation
Daniel Poneman
President, Chief Executive Officer, Centrus Energy Corp.; Former Deputy Secretary, United States Department of Energy