News & Events

Introduction
Thank you Neil, it’s always a pleasure to return to the Santa Fe Energy Seminar to renew old acquaintances and to share strategies for the future of nuclear energy in our countries. That is particularly so this year, when there has been so much excitement over our industry’s future around the world.

I’m also pleased to share the podium today with Mr. Mori, a man who has done much to encourage the development of safety culture in Japan’s nuclear industry. As I’ll outline in my remarks today, every member of the global nuclear industry has a critical role to play in sustaining our industry’s positive momentum.

• First, I’d like to talk about the encouraging news concerning the revival of the nuclear industry in the United States. 2005 has been a pivotal year as President Bush signed the bipartisan Energy Policy Act into law; and now, just in the last few weeks, additional companies have announced their intention to test the new plant licensing process, and take steps toward ordering a new fleet of American reactors.
• Second, I’d like to talk about the market conditions that have led to America’s new look at nuclear energy, and why nuclear energy has such unique value.
• Third, as exciting as this era may be, our growth and our ability to fulfill the enormous potential of nuclear energy depends on rededicating ourselves to the principles of nuclear safety, information sharing and operational transparency. With nuclear energy, an accident anywhere is an accident everywhere. And because public confidence in our industry can easily be shaken, it is in our own self-interest to cooperate with one another and remain eternally vigilant.