News & Events

Good morning. I’m Jeff Benjamin, vice president for licensing and regulatory affairs at Exelon Nuclear. We operate 17 reactors at 10 sites—the largest nuclear fleet in the nation—so our experience with emergency preparedness is extensive and diverse, both geographically and demographically.

I’m also here representing the Nuclear Energy Institute’s emergency preparedness and security working groups.

With me are Alan Nelson, NEI chief for emergency preparedness; Mark Lemke, emergency preparedness manager for Pacific Gas & Electric Co.; and Sue Perkins-Grew, emergency preparedness manager for FPL.

In fact, we have industry representatives here for 97 of the nation’s 103 operating reactors.

I’m pleased that many state and local emergency response organizations also sent representatives for this meeting.

Emission-free nuclear plants provide 20 percent of our nation’s electricity, second only to coal-fired plants. Their safety and security record is outstanding, and the industry’s average capacity factor exceeds 90 percent.

Nuclear energy is a vital part of our nation’s energy portfolio, supporting continued economic growth—as well the security of our energy supply and, therefore, our national security.