Good morning. It is a great pleasure for me to take part in this panel. The theme of this session — planning for clean affordable energy — is an endeavor that the nuclear industry heartily subscribes to, since clean, affordable energy is what we’re all about. The nuclear energy industry worldwide generates the most electricity without the emission of harmful greenhouse gases.

For nearly five decades, nuclear energy has proven its crucial contribution to sustaining the world’s energy supply and economic growth, while protecting the environment. And while our industry has been ahead of the game in “planning” for clean, affordable energy, we are pleased to be part of the ongoing and expanding efforts to make future generations of energy sources consistent with the social, economic and environmental values of today and the future.

There is a renewed interest in nuclear energy, coming at a time when the United States and many other countries are facing serious energy issues.

The electricity shortages in California earlier this year captured a great deal of attention, and raised concerns about the future of electricity deregulation. However, I believe deregulation will continue in the U.S. — albeit at a slower pace than before. A number of states as well as several other countries have already deregulated their electricity industries without the wild price spikes and rolling blackouts that California suffered.

The basic issue for any country is whether its electricity supply and transmission capability are adequate to meet its needs. Dynamic economic growth, such as we have seen in California, increases the demand for electricity. And in order to meet that demand, new capacity has to be added — which was not done in the California region.