Handouts Final Wo Crop 11.19.10
Transcript of Handouts Final Wo Crop 11.19.10
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It has been nearly 60 years since
Idahos Experimental Breeder
Reactor 1 (EBR-1) became the
frst electricity-generating nuclear
power plant in the United States. At
the time, EBR-1 produced enough
electricity to power our 200-watt
light bulbs, later expanding its power
capabilities to light up the entire
acility. Today, nuclear power plants
supply approximately 20% o the
electricity used by the United States
each year, according to the Energy
Inormation Administration (EIA).
Currently, there are 104 nuclear
reactors operating in 31 states.
Much has been written about
nuclear energy, with many o the
discussions ocused on the saety
o the nuclear plants that generate
it. In response, there are a number
o organizations that are quick to
point out how nuclear energy can
improve energy security and ensure
clean air quality, saying it minimally
impacts the carbon ootprint, unlike
the burning o coal and ossil uels.
One such organization is the
CASEnergy Coalition (www.
cleansaeenergy.org), a national
grassroots coalition that promotes
the economic and environmentalbenefts o nuclear power through
regional and national media and
educational outreach. Made up
o more than 2,000 members
across the business, environmental,
academic, consumer, and labor
community, the coalition is led by
ormer Environmental Protection
Agency Administrator Christine
Todd Whitman and co-ounder and
ormer leader o Greenpeace, Dr.
Patrick Moore.
Regardless o what side o the
debate you are on, what cannot be
argued is the industrys desire to
have the most qualifed engineers,
technicians, and other young
proessionals working in key
positions. This act is no more
apparent than at the Indian Point
By Michael A. Casano
WORKFORCE DIVERSITYFor Engineering and IT Proessionals
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
F A L L 2 0 0 9
Powering Up Careersin Nuclear Energy
THERESA MOTKO,
CASENERGY MEMBER
ELECTRICAL ENGINEER,
ENTERGY
CLYDE THOMAS,
CASENERGY MEMBER
SYSTEM ENGINEER,
CONSTELLATION ENERGY
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Energy Center (IPEC) in Buchanan,
NY. Owned and operated by the
Entergy Corporation (www.entergy.
com), IPECs two operating nuclear
units generate more than 2,000
megawatts at 98% capacity one
o the highest rates in the industry.
At ull strength, the units generate
enough electricity to supply power
to homes, businesses, hospitals,and other critical inrastructure in
New York Citys fve boroughs and
Westchester County.
OVIDIO RAMIREZ, ELECTRICALSYSTEMS ENGINEER, ENTERGY
One o the engineers responsible
to maintain the operational
success at IPEC is Ovidio
Ramirez. An electrical systemsengineer at the acility, Ramirez
is involved in reactor protection
and control, which addresses all
the instrumentation and control
systems that regulate power in
the reactor. Ramirez handles the
analysis, design, management, and
implementation o modifcations to
those systems, identiying potential
issues beore they escalate.
The object here is to be proactive
with addressing the monitoring
tools used to watch anything
involving the core, says Ramirez.
Once you see any sort o
degrading trend, we look to start
some sort o troubleshooting
instance, or i not, some solution to
eliminate those degrading trends.
Ramirezs decision to pursue a
career in nuclear energy came
about during his senior year at
Manhattan College. Focused on
electrical engineering, Ramirez
began looking or jobs at electric
companies such as Con Edison.
However, his plans changed ater
speaking with representatives o
Entergy at a school career air.
When youre in the electrical
engineering feld, it becomes
second nature to build or analyze
circuits, explains Ramirez. Here,
a lot o the troubleshooting
involves a similar analysis o
circuits, explains Ramirez. Here,
a lot o the troubleshooting
involves a similar analysis o
circuits to fgure out what theissues can possibly be. So, Im able
to use my particular background in
circuit analysis I learned in college
when coming up with a solution to
address a particular issue involving
circuitry here at the plant.
I you look to break into the nuclear
energy feld, Ramirez notes it is
important to take engineering
courses related to general power
and power transmission. A strong
general background gives you an
immediate advantage since many
engineers begin working on those
types o systems frst, instead o
more involved circuitry work.
As ar as sot skills training, public
speaking is high atop Ramirezs
list. Youre required to speak to
hiring bosses and in ront o large
groups o people to give statuses
on what youre working on, he
remarks. I theres an issue, youre
responsible to clearly present
what that situation is and make
recommendations on a solution.
And, youre going to have to deal
with various departments to makesure they understand how to
implement your solution. So, you
need to eel comortable speaking
with everyone to keep things
moving and to make sure you
clearly get your points across.
THERESA MOTKO, ELECTRICALENGINEER, ENTERGY
Theresa Motko agrees onthe importance o strong
communications skills given
the benefts she ound by taking
proessional development classes
in college where she practiced
public speaking and presentations.
A colleague o Ramirezs at IPEC,
Motko maintains the reliability o
the instrumentation and saety
systems that regulate power in
the reactor. Much like Ramirez,Motkos entry into the feld came
about ater hearing others speak
positively about the proession.
Motko attended Sacred Heart
Academy in Hempstead, NY a
high school ocused predominantly
on liberal arts, medicine, and law.
However, during her senior year, an
WORKFORCE DIVERSITYFor Engineering and IT Proessionals
F A L L 2 0 0 9
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
Powering Up Careers in Nuclear Energy
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electrical engineer rom the New
York Power Authority came in to
speak to her math class, part o an
initiative to raise awareness o the
career with high-school girls.
The engineer explained that there
were not a lot o women in the
feld and that there were a lot o
opportunities there, she recalls.At that point, I had decided to
pursue biomedical engineering,
where I would at least have the
engineering background. But I
also wanted to pursue a career in
the medical feld. However, ater
beginning college, I decided that
I did like the engineering aspects,
so I switched over to electrical
engineering.
Motko says that misunderstandings
on the saety o nuclear energy
can be attributed to the limited
knowledge people may have in
general on how energy is created.
That, in turn, may cause some
hesitancy by qualifed engineers
to pursue jobs in the feld. The
biggest hurdle when it comes to
nuclear energy being discussed
is the act that many people have
that negative connotation, not
only with Three Mile Island but
also with Chernobyl, she declares.
The misconception is that were
susceptible to the same kind o
ailure or accident happening here
in the United States. Were not
because its two totally dierent
designed types o reactors.
Instead, Motko emphasizes that
the current business environment
is ideal or aspiring engineers
looking or jobs in nuclear energy.
Many o the engineers who began
in the industry now look to retire,
providing opportunities or new
engineers to take their place. I was
actually part o the frst string o
new hires straight out o college,she remembers. Now, we have
quite a number o new engineers
here. Being around people
the same age and with similar
backgrounds gives us a great
sense o camaraderie. Its a good
networking group as well.
To enter the feld, both Motko and
Ramirez encourage afliations
with related organizations so you
can network and learn o potential
job opportunities. Along with
being members o the CASEnergy
Coalition, Ramirez and Motko
belong to the North American
Young Generation in Nuclear,
comprised o young proessionals
passionate about the nuclear
industry who want us share their
ideas through networking with
other companies and individuals.
Aspiring engineers should also
explore internships with companies
while in college. For example, IPEC
oers summer internships and co-
op programs that provide a good
learning experience or students
because they get to experience the
day-in, day-out work engineers do.
Although the nuclear
energy industry is
heavy in technical
and engineering
disciples, there are
also opportunities in
other areas, such as
in business services,
communications,
and lawthere is
a diverse group of
people working here
who operate the
facility. Theres a lot
of opportunity out
here, especially with
the development of
new sites. Its an
exciting time forthose of us working
here.
WORKFORCE DIVERSITYFor Engineering and IT Proessionals
F A L L 2 0 0 9
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
Powering Up Careers in Nuclear Energy
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I there is one aspect students
interested in entering the nuclear
energy industry should keep
in mind, its that the feld has
opportunities or both technical
and non-technical proessionals.
It is one o the highest paying
(according to a 2006 U.S.
Department o Labor study, the
median annual salary or nuclear
engineers is $90,220). And,
the feld can arguably boast job
security since primary work must
be done right at the nuclear
acility, limiting the possibilities o
outsourcing work overseas.
Thats why people who may have
doubts entering in the feld should
consider the real potential working in
the nuclear energy industry can bring.
Motko adds: Although the nuclear
energy industry is heavy in technical
and engineering disciplines, there
are also opportunities in other
areas, such as in business services,
communications, and law. Although
its a specifc industry, there is a
diverse group o people working
here who operate the acility.
Theres a lot o opportunity out here,especially with the development o
new sites. Its an exciting time or
those o us working here.
CLYDE R. THOMAS, SYSTEMENGINEER, CONSTELLATIONENERGY
For the past fve years, Clyde R.
Thomas o Constellation Energy,
has held the position o system
engineer at Calvert Clis Nuclear
Power Plant (CCNPP). He was
recently reassigned to the design
department where he is in training
to become an instrument and
controls (I&C) design engineer.
Once I become qualifed or
my new position, I will provide
documentation and solutions or
completion o new and existing
modifcations to plant equipment,
explains Thomas.
He adds, My short-term goals
include pursuing my passion to help
reduce our countrys dependence
on ossil uels and lowering CO2
emissions. Eventually, I hope
to apply or a position within
Constellation Energy Projects &
Services Group in its photovoltaic
department.
Thomas, who is also a member o
CASEnergy and North American
Young Generation in Nuclear
(NA-YGN)), is also interested in
exploring solar power research and
the ability to use the power o the
sun to produce electricity.
But or now, he notes, every day at
work is unique and challenging.
My primary responsibilities
as a system engineer involve
perormance monitoring activities,
which include developing and
deciphering trend data, providing
technical support or daily
operations, plant improvements,
and equipment acquisitions,
WORKFORCE DIVERSITYFor Engineering and IT Proessionals
F A L L 2 0 0 9
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
Powering Up Careers in Nuclear Energy
To help meet the
countrys need for
reliable, economic,
and emission-free
electricity, the
nuclear energy
industry becomes
an obvious choice
The nuclear industry
relies on committed
people with integrity
who are willing to
act as stewards of
public health, safety,
and the environment.
System engineers
play a vital role to
resolve problems and
improve processesthat will affect the
nation.
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comments Thomas. I am also
responsible or analysis, sel-
assessment, technical procedure
reviews, corrective action
responses, root cause analysis,
critical path analysis, and detailed
review o vendor engineering
products.
The most challenging aspect
o Thomass job is to interace
with the various disciplines. On
a day-to-day basis, I interact
with engineering, maintenance,
operations sta, and other
groups both inside and outside
the company to quickly resolve
technical issues, says Thomas,
who notes that in his quest to
provide technical support to
the feld, he typically fnds most
everyone has their own problem-
solving solutions. Even though
everyone has good ideas, rarely
does everyone agree on one
solution. As a system engineer,
the challenge is to evaluate the
various resolutions, including
my own, in order to fnd a viable
solution, he declares.
As a CCNPP employee, Thomas
wears many hats. In addition
to his primary responsibilities
as a system engineer, he also
plays an important role within
the emergency response (ER)
organization, assisting with
evacuation and protective
measures in the unlikely event
o an emergency situation at the
plant. I fnd it satisying to know
I am qualifed to assist those in
need in case o an emergency,
notes Thomas, who enjoys the
variety o roles he perorms.
THE OBVIOUS CHOICE
While in school, Thomas who
earned a bachelors degree
in electrical engineering rom
Penn State University, ocused
on digital signal processing; he
also attended classes and earned
credits in power systems. My
college education prepared me
or my system engineer position
by providing me with the skills
and tools needed to analyze
problems in order to achieve a
logical solution. Most days I use
my problem-solving skills to ind
solutions, reiterates Thomas.
Thomas states those interested in
a career in the nuclear industry
will fnd it to be an investment in
a stable, viable uture one that
involves producing electricity that
doesnt deplete or diminish current
resources, such as ossil uels. Tohelp meet the countrys need or
reliable, economic, and emission-
ree electricity, the nuclear industry
becomes an obvious choice,
explains Thomas. The nuclear
industry relies on committed people
with integrity who are willing to
act as stewards o public health,
saety, and the environment.
System engineers play a vital role
to resolve problems and improve
processes that will aect the
nation, concludes Thomas.
Constellation Energy (www.
constellation.com) is a leading
supplier of energy products
and services to wholesale and
retail electric and natural gas
customers. It owns a diversied
eet of generating units located
in the United States and Canada,
totaling approximately 7,100
megawatts of generating capacity,
and is among the leaders pursuing
the development of new nuclear
plants in the United States. The
company delivers electricity and
natural gas through the Baltimore
Gas and Electric Company (BGE),
its regulated utility in Central
Maryland. A Fortune 500 company
headquartered in Baltimore,
Constellation Energy had revenues
of $19.8 billion in 2008.
WORKFORCE DIVERSITYFor Engineering and IT Proessionals
F A L L 2 0 0 9
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
Powering Up Careers in Nuclear Energy
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CASENERGY COALITION
The CASEnergy Coalition (www.cleansaeenergy.
org), is a national grassroots coalition that promotes
the economic and environmental benefts o
nuclear energy as part o a green energy portolio.
Made up o more than 2,100 members across thebusiness, environmental, academic, consumer, and
labor community, the coalition is led by ormer
Environmental Protection Agency administrator
Christine Todd Whitman and co-ounder and ormer
leader o Greenpeace, Dr. Patrick Moore.
Jobs at nuclear power plants pay substantially more
than average salaries in areas where the plants are
located. For example, the ollowing are median annual
salaries or select positions:
Senior Reactor Operator: $85,426 Reactor Operator: $77,782
Electrical Technician: $67,517
Mechanical Technician: $66,581
According to the U.S. Department o Labor, the median
annual salary or nuclear engineers is $82,900
approximately $8,000 more than all other engineering
disciplines except petroleum engineering.
WORKFORCE DIVERSITYFor Engineering and IT Proessionals
F A L L 2 0 0 9
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
Powering Up Careers in Nuclear Energy
GOV. CHRISTINE TODD
WHITMAN, CO-CHAIR,
CASENERGY COALITION
DR. PATRICK MOORE,
CO-CHAIR, CASENERGY
COALITION
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Horton was nudged into engi-
neering when she was just an
eighth grader. She recalls, In
middle school, I was recruited to be in
a program that promoted math and
sciences. Teachers took children with
good grades and put us there. In eighth
grade, a recruiter from Fort Valley State
University contacted me. It had a pro-
gram that was a mathematics, science,
and engineering academy in Georgia.
I got recruited for that program. We
went down to the university and they
introduced us to different kinds of
engineering and every summer after
that, I was part of that program because
I knew that thats what I wanted to do.
I thought electrical engineering was
neat. They had us making phones and
doing all kinds of things that electrical
engineers do.
Today, Horton is an electrical engineer
in engineering systems for Dominion
Energy www.cleansafeenergy.org at
the Kewaunee Nuclear Power south of
Green Bay, WI, but back when she was in
eighth grade, going away stretched her
in an unexpected way. She says, I was
extremely shy and it helped develop me,
being in a place without your mom and
dad.
But that stretching didnt end. She
earned a bachelors of science degree
in electrical engineering at the Univer-
By Katie McKy
WOMAN ENGINEER
SHAWNTA (HORTON) SIVELLS, CASENERGY MEMBER
ELECTRICAL ENGINEER, DOMINION ENERGY
The Career Magazine for Entry-Level and Professional Women
SQUEEZING ENERGY OUT OF SUNLIGHT, WIND, & ROCK
Women Engineers In TheUtility Sector Light Our Lights
W I N T E R 2 0 0 8 /2 0 0 9
Some work with the
sun, converting light
into electricity. Others
plumb the earth or
ossil uels. Still
others use fssion
to squeeze energy
rom rock. WomenEngineers look every
which way or energy,
extracting it rom
space, the earth,
and even the breeze.
Their ingenuity keeps
our homes lighted,
our cars rolling,
and our actories
humming. Meet a ew
o these resourceul
women, who fnd
natural resources
everywhere.
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sity of Nevada Las Vegas and was
stretched every which way. Horton
remembers, Engineering is tough.
The entire time I was in school, I
was shocked by how hard it was.
Its not like high school, where, if
youre smart, you dont need to
put a whole lot of effort into it.
You need a lot of perseverance. I
persevered because I knew I wanted
to be an engineer. No matter how
hard it is, stick with what you want
to do. If you have enough drive and
passion, you will nish it.
Even today, challenges remain. Im
a female and Im a female of color,
so people might be standofsh at
rst, but when you get a chance
to speak, people will respect you,
she declares. Im acknowledged
now, even though Im often the
only female in the room. Theresalso an age difference. However, I
worked for my degree and its what
I always wanted to do. If I can make
it through my degree, everything
else is easy.
And that age difference means
positions for aspiring engineers.
Horton says, In the past, the
nuclear industry didnt recruit
people straight out of college. You
didnt meet a nuclear recruiter at
a college career fair. Most of the
seasoned nuclear work pool came
from the military. Almost everyone
Ive talked to nished at least four
years in the military before going
to the nuclear eld. So to a certain
extent, nuclear is new to my gen-
eration. Before there was no room
for new hires, but now its needed.
With nearly 40% of the tenured
workforce retiring soon, a new wave
of employees needs to be devel-
oped. Universities are starting to
rebuild/build their nuclear colleges
and nuclear employers are con-
necting with university students.
Dominion is a prime example. Weve
partnered with North Carolina AT&T
State University to peak students
interest in the company and the
nuclear industry. I have a younger
brother graduating from that
school this December and now he
also wants to work in nuclear.
And theres more good news. Do-
minion embraces the new engineers.
I felt really welcomed coming in,
she recalls. The company gives you
all the tools you need to succeed
and excel. Its not just worried about
you sitting there and doing your
work. Dominion is concerned about
you as a person and Ive experienced
that from the top down, from corpo-
rate to where I work.
Dominion Nuclear employs about
4,000 people and has four nuclear
power plants, whereas there are
17,000 employees in the greater
company. And Hortons job is safe-
ty. I work on two of the systems
that protect the reactor and protect
the people and our environment,
she explains.
Another thing that she likes about
her job is its security. People will
always need energy. The good
thing about this sector is that its
always growing, she notes.
Horton also likes the importance of
her work. I feel good knowing that
Im doing something that people
need. Its not a selsh endeavor,she remarks.
In the end, Horton reiterates
how much nuclear needs women
engineers: A lot of the people are
retiring. Youre needed here. Its
not promoted enough how much
youre needed and you cant know
what you dont know, but we need
you here in nuclear.
And Horton believes that the United
States needs nuclear energy.
She is a member of The Clean and
Safe Energy Coalition (CASEnergy
Coalition), which is a large grass-
roots coalition that unites unlikely
allies across the business, environ-
mental, academic, consumer, and
labor community to support nuclear
energy.
SQUEEZING ENERGY OUT OF SUNLIGHT, WIND, & ROCK
Women Engineers In The Utility Sector Light Our Lights
WOMAN ENGINEERThe Career Magazine for Entry-Level and Professional Women
W I N T E R 2 0 0 8 /2 0 0 9
With nearly 40% of
the tenured workforce
retiring soon, a new wave
of employees needs to be
developed. Universities
are starting to rebuild/
build their nuclear
colleges and nuclear
employers are connecting
with university students
People will always need
energy. The good thing
about this sector is that
its always growing.
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Lighting our Way
Juan Jonny Abendao, an
Electrical I&C Engineer for
AREVA in Charlotte, says,
We are building the rst US nuclear
power plant in over 30 years.
AREVA has the muscle to erect thatplant, with over 50,000 employees
at hundreds of sites in over a
hundred countries, but AREVA isnt
a one-trick phoenix. It has a has a
renewable arm thats as muscular
as one of Arnold Schwarzeneggers,
with wind energy, bioenergy, solar
power and hydrogen power. And
AREVA takes old, familiar energy
forms, such as the burning of wood,
which is a kind of bioenergy, and
upgrades them with new plant
matter that isnt just green in color.
For example, burning various plant
matters can release 75% less CO2
than burning gasoline.
The vast wingspan of AREVA lets
Abendao soar. AREVA gives me
vast opportunities. I get to move to
different countries. There are just
so many challenging experiences
within this company.
Abendao is currently an
Instrumentation and Control
Engineer whos upgrading
systems. I upgrade analog to
digital equipment and design and
implement I&C modications.
But in a company with AREVAs
breadth and depth, he could work
anywhere along the nuclear train,
as AREVA mines uranium, enriches
it, designs and constructs reactors,
maintains those reactors, and
recycles and transports spent fuel.
If its nuclear, AREVA is there.
And AREVA is a member of an
even larger organization, the
Clean and Safe Energy Coalition
(CASEnergy Coalition), which is
a large, grassroots coalition thatunites unlikely allies across the
business, environmental, academic,
consumer and labor community to
support nuclear energy. And as
the CASEnergy Coalition supports
AREVA, AREVA supports Abendao.
Even though its a large company,
they treat their employees as family.
But at AREVA, Abendao has learned
much more than the stages of nuclear
energy production. He has learned
that learning never ends at AREVA
and in the nuclear sector. Learn not
only your studies, but how to lead
and work with others. Get ready for a
never-ending life of learning.
By Katie McKy
HISPANIC CAREER WORLD
AREVA gives mevast opportunities.I get to move todifferent countries.
There are just somany challengingexperiences withinthis company.
S U M M E R / F A L L 2 0 1 0
JUAN JONNY ABENDAO,CASENERGY MEMBERELECTRICAL ENGINEER,AREVA
In a company with AREVAs breadth and depth, he could workanywhere along the nuclear train, as AREVA mines uranium, enrichesit, designs and constructs reactors, maintains those reactors, andrecycles and transports spent fuel.
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Opportunity And Top Salaries
With unemployment rates among
the minority community higher
than the overall national average,
which itself is staggering, statesDeborah Nelson, of the Clean and
Safe Energy Coalition (CASEnergy),
a national grassroots coalition
that promotes the economic and
environmental benets of nuclear
power as part of a responsible
energy policy.
It is important to talk about the
great opportunities for membersof minority groups in the energy
sector, especially in nuclear, says
Nelson. These jobs are permanent
and well-paying, with training
programs that are both time- and
cost- competitive.
For some jobs in nuclear, she notes,
such as technician, operator, or
engineer, additional training can
take as little as two years, and the
average annual starting salaries
are close to $65,000-$80,000.
Nuclear engineers, according to the
U.S. Department of Labor, earn on
average $8,000 more than all other
engineering disciplines, except
petroleum engineers.
Jobs at nuclear power plants pay
substantially more than average
salaries in areas where the plants
are located. For example, these aremedian annual salaries for select
positions:
Senior Reactor Operator:
$85,426
Reactor Operator: $77,782
Electrical Technician: $67,517
Mechanical Technician: $66,581
Thirty-ve percent of the currentnuclear industry workforce may
be eligible to retire within ve
years. Between now and 2012, the
industry will provide opportunities
for approximately 19,600 workers
to replace retirees and 6,300 to
account for other attrition.
For more information, please
visit the following website: www.
cleansafeenergy.org.
MINORITY ENGINEER
It is important
to talk about
the great
opportunities
for members of
minority groups
in the energy
sector, especially
in nuclearThese jobs are
permanent and
well-paying, with
training programs
that are both
time-and cost-
competitive.
The Career Magazine for Entry-Level and Professional Engineers
NUCLEAR ENERGY JOBS:
F A L L 2 0 0 9
CASENERGY COALITION
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Jump-start job creation byfocusing on how we produce,use and conserve energyBy Christine Todd Whitman and Rep. Juan C. Zapata
AUSTIN AMERICAN STATESMAN
This week, the nationsleading Latino and other
community leaders are
meeting in San Antonio for the
National Council of La Razas
annual conference. The conference
will provide special focus
needed on economic challenges,
especially those affecting Latino
communities. The national
unemployment rate among Latinos
is 12.4 percent, higher than the
national average of just under 10
percent.
One of the opportunities we have
to kick-start job creation is by
focusing on how we produce, use
and conserve energy. Americas
electricity demand is poised to
rise 23 percent by 2030 and the
need in Texas will be double that at
48 percent. Meeting that demand
responsibly is going to require an
investment in a diverse range of
clean energy sources.
Of the clean energy technology
options available now, none is
better-suited than nuclear energy
at supplying large amounts of
electricity that does not pollute
the air, together with creating
thousands of badly needed jobs.
Thats particularly the case
in Texas, where two proposed
reactors at NRG Energys SouthTexas Project in Matagorda County
will put some 6,000 people to work
building those power plants.
Nuclear energy facilities act
as economic hubs in local
communities by luring new
businesses and increasing a tax
base that provides good schools,
libraries and other critical
infrastructure. NRG estimates the
two new reactors at South Texas
Project will generate more than
$15 billion in follow-on business
activity, along with $600 million in
local and state tax revenues.
And because nuclear energy is
emissions-free when producing
power, each additional plant
prevents carbon emissions from
fossil fuel plants that would
otherwise ll the air. Texass four
reactors prevented 29 million
metric tons of carbon dioxide
from entering the atmosphere last
year - the equivalent or removing
nearly 1 million passenger vehicles
from the road. Thats a signicant
environmental benet given
that four Texas cities fall below
Environmental Protection Agency
standards for air quality and Austin
teeters on the brink of falling below
those standards.
REP. JUAN C. ZAPATA,
CASENERGY MEMBER
J U L Y 9 , 2 0 1 0
GOV. CHRISTINE TODD
WHITMAN, CO-CHAIR,
CASENERGY COALITION
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Nuclear energys economic and
environmental benets have
helped the Clean and Safe Energy
(CASEnergy) Coalition, a group
to which Rep. Zapata belongs
and which I co-chair along with
Greenpeace co-founder Patrick
Moore, form a broad-based
coalition of more than 2,400
members who support the
industrys expansion. That support
is especially strong here in Texas,where CASEnergy members include
local Latino leaders such as State
Senator Leticia Van de Putte and
Ramiro Cavazos, president and
CEO of the San Antonio Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce.
Support is growing in Texas and
across the country. A recent
Gallup polled showed that 62
percent of Americans an all-time
high - favor the use of nuclearenergy to produce electricity.
This favorability is due, in part,
to the industrys excellent safety
record in recent years. South Texas
Project, for example, recently
logged its 10 millionth labor hour
without a signicant worker injury
or accident. This commitment
to worker safety also extends to
safe operation of the plant, which
generated 22.4 million megawatt-
hours of electricity in 2009
enough to power 2 million homes
and more than any other dual-
reactor power plant in the country.
President Obama has recognized
the importance of nuclear power
to the nations energy portfolio.
In May, he asked Congress to
approve $9 billion in additional
loan guarantee authority so that
proposed new reactors such as the
two at South Texas Project could
move forward quickly and put
Americans back to work.
Consideration of nuclear energy
in Congress has drawn bipartisan
support in part because of
the tremendous job creation
potential of reinstating America
as a leader in this industry. As
President Obama said in April:
Make no mistake: whether it is
nuclear energy, or solar or wind
energy, if we fail to invest in
these technologies today, well be
importing them tomorrow. We
should be taking a leadership role
and creating jobs, not moving more
American jobs offshore.
Of course, nuclear energy alone
cant meet all of our electricity
needs. As Texas has discovered
as the nations leader in wind
power, America will have to
develop a full suite of clean energy
sources, including wind, solar and
geothermal. Natural gas must
continue to be a bridge fuel to this
cleaner energy portfolio. We must
conserve more energy as well.
CASEnergy members here in Texas
and elsewhere are meeting with
other stakeholders to nd common
ground on our energy future.
Our coalition recently joined with
leaders from the manufacturing,
economic development and wind
energy sectors to release a Policy
Roadmap for Clean Energy, which
makes the case for a diverse U.S.
clean energy portfolio that places a
premium on job creation.
One area on which we are keenly
focused is investment in workforce
training. New nuclear power plants
have the potential to create as
many as 70,000 jobs in the coming
years, and we need to act now to
ensure our workers are adequately
trained to take those jobs.
Nothing lifts a community like
good-paying, stable jobs andindustries. Today, Texas has the
opportunity to strengthen its
communities, meet its growing
electricity demand, and improve its
air quality. Nuclear energy is poised
to help deliver on these goals.
Whitman is a former administrator
of the EPA and governor of New
Jersey and co-chair of the Clean and
Safe Energy Coalition (CASEnergy),
a national grassroots coalitionthat promotes the economic and
environmental benets of nuclear
energy as part of a green-energy
economy. Zapata, a Florida state
representative, serves as chairman
of the NALEO Education Fund
and Board of Hispanic Caucus
Chairs (BHCC) and is a member of
CASEnergy. To read more about the
Policy Roadmap for Clean Energy,
visit www.cleansafeenergy.org.
New nuclear power
plants have the potential
to create as many as
70,000 jobs in the
coming years, and we
need to act now to
ensure our workers are
adequately trained to
take those jobs.
Jump-start job creation by focusing on how we
produce, use and conserve energy
AUSTIN AMERICAN STATESMANJ U L Y 9 , 2 0 1 0
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Artculo por opinin /Article of Opinion
Florida is home to some
of the most beautiful
environmental features in
this country, boasting more than
1,300 miles of coastline, refuges
for endangered species, and thecleanest air among our nations
major cities.
This month, Miami topped the
Forbes.com list of Americas
Cleanest Cities, rankings based on
air and water quality, among other
factors. Four of the top 10 cleanest
cities are in Florida, including
Orlando just behind Miami at the
number four spot.
Clearly, Florida is doing something
right!
As part of its environmental
stewardship, Florida has made
global climate change a priority.
Fortunately, the same steps that
the state and its business leaders
have taken to maintain a high
standard of air quality will also help
in the Sunshine States effort to
reduce greenhouse gases.
This is particularly true when
considering Floridas energy needs
through the lens of air quality and
climate change. Nationally, we will
need 25 percent more electricity
production by 2030 than we have
today. Thats because our homes
are 50 percent larger and our
electricity use is 30 percent greater
than the generation before us.
Energy conservation and efciency
are important, but we must use
technological innovation to help
meet our fast-growing energy
demands. Along with strides inmaking renewable energy sources
more competitive, advanced
nuclear power plants are one of
the best ways to combat climate
change while ensuring the efcient
and reliable electricity we need.
As a Florida homeowner and
environmentalist, I am quite
pleased to hear about the recent
approval of Florida Power & Lights
application to build two new
reactors at its Turkey Point facility,
a generating station within sight of
our house. Emission-free nuclear
By Christine Todd Whitman
DIARIO LAS AMRICASA P R I L 1 2 , 2 0 0 8
This piece was translated into Spanish for publication.
GOV. CHRISTINE TODD
WHITMAN, CO-CHAIR,
CASENERGY COALITION
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14/14
In fact, if
electricity
produced at
the states ve
nuclear plantswere generated
instead using
a mix of fossil
fuels, Floridas
emissions would
increase by 22
million tons of
carbon dioxideeach year.
power provides the large scale power that
a growing state like Florida needs, without
producing any of the greenhouse gases. In
fact, if electricity produced at the states ve
nuclear plants were generated instead using
a mix of fossil fuels, Floridas emissions
would increase by 22 million tons of carbondioxide each year.
Florida is one of the fastest-growing states
in the nation, attracting nearly 1,000 new
residents daily in addition to its 85 million
visitors each year. Floridas growing
population means that the state needs to
increase its energy production in a manner
that protects the environment, yet is
affordable for consumers.
Both FPL and Progress Energy are taking
responsible steps to meet the growing
energy needs of Floridians in a way that
enhances the states environment. We need
to take action on global warming, but we
need to be smart about how we do it, using
a combination of conservation, renewable
energy sources, and new baseload power.
Recent action by the Florida Public Service
Commission to approve FPLs Turkey Point
expansion is an example of how business,government and consumers can work
together on a high-tech solution that
produces vast amounts of electricity but
doesnt impact our air quality.
We are just now beginning to face our
energy and environmental challenges. While
Florida enjoys a great top-10 showing in
Forbes list of Americas Cleanest Cities,
the state also ranked third among states
that emitted the most carbon dioxide in
2007. Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide
contribute to global warming.
Floridas ve reactors produce 14 percent of
Floridas electricity, and the four reactorsplanned for Turkey Point and in Levy County
will be a vital foundation in a portfolio
of clean energy sources that meet both
Floridas future electricity needs and its
environmental goals.
The next few years will be critical for
determining our energy and environmental
future. We must make important investment
decisions on new energy production
and policy on reducing greenhouse gasemissions. There is a growing consensus
that nuclear energy must play a key role in
meeting both of these objectives for Florida
and for our nation.
Christine Todd Whitman
Former NJ Governor and EPA Administrator
CASEnergy Coalition Co-Chair
President, The Whitman Strategy Group
The CASEnergy Coalition is an advocacy
group dedicated to bringing together
consumers, conservationists, academics,
health care advocates, labor organizations,
environmentalists, and community leaders
who believe greater use of nuclear energy is
critical to a U.S. energy policy that will meet
our nations needs today and in the future.
www.cleansafeenergy.org.
Artculo por opinin /Article of Opinion
DIARIO LAS AMRICASA P R I L 1 2 , 2 0 0 8