NEWS RELEASE

NEI Commends Southern States Energy Board Call for New Nuclear Plants

WASHINGTON—The Southern States Energy Board (SSEB), an interstate compact organization made up of 16 Southern states and the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico that promotes and recommends policies and programs on energy, released a report yesterday, “Nuclear Energy: Cornerstone of Southern Living, Today and Tomorrow,” calling for a major contribution from nuclear energy to meet future demand in the region. Following is a statement from Alex Flint, Nuclear Energy Institute senior vice president of governmental affairs.

“The SSEB has produced an excellent report that recognizes the historic role of nuclear energy in Southern economic growth and prosperity and the critical need for new nuclear plants to meet future growth in demand for electricity in the nation’s fastest growing region. The report also is a blueprint for policy makers to follow to enhance electricity production infrastructure that will ensure continued economic growth and environmental responsibility by expanding the largest source of emission-free electricity.

“The Department of Energy forecasts a 45 percent increase in electricity demand nationwide over the next 25 years. In the Southeast, demand growth is expected to be at least 50 percent, and in some states, such as Florida, approximately 75 percent. While acknowledging a role for energy conservation, efficiency and other fuels for electric generation, the report recognizes the absolute need for new baseload sources of electricity from nuclear energy and coal.

“The SSEB as an organization and reflected in this report is a model of how energy and its key role in economic growth and prosperity, enhanced standards of living and environmental consciousness crosses the entire political spectrum. The SSEB report was commissioned by the Board which is made up of the governors of the 16 states and members of state legislatures from both parties that comprise its representation.”


The Nuclear Energy Institute is the nuclear energy industry’s policy organization. This news release and additional information about nuclear energy are available on NEI’s Internet site at http://www.nei.org.