Introduction
Good morning. This is my first official day on the job as president and CEO of the Nuclear Energy Institute.

It’s a great opportunity—because there simply hasn’t been a better time to be in the commercial nuclear energy industry than today.

And because I believe so strongly in the mission of this industry, I’m encouraged by the strong leadership we’ve seen in here in Washington—most recently from President Bush himself. The president is as convinced as we are about the role nuclear energy plays today and the tremendous future opportunities it brings for our country.

In the Congress, there are allies on both sides of the aisle—like Sens. Craig and Domenici, who are joining us at this conference, and Sens. Mary Landrieu and Blanche Lincoln. So many on the Hill now understand the energy independence and the environmental benefits that come with nuclear energy.

We’re looking at an emerging world with more competition for fossil fuels and a greater need than ever for affordable, reliable electricity.

And we’re looking at a world where there are growing challenges to our environmental quality, notably the quality of our air.  Nuclear energy can help answer these needs and challenges.

But will we have the conditions that can bring that about?

We can. Many of the conditions are falling into place right now. And today, I’ll focus on four of them. For each, I’ll review the success we have achieved to date, and look at the challenges that lie ahead.