Energy Secretary Calls for More Nuclear Power

Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman declared that we must “safely expand the use of nuclear energy – in this country and across the world” during a speech at the Middle East Institute’s 60th Anniversary Conference in Washington, DC today.

Referencing the conference’s theme – developing new approaches to enduring conflicts – Bodman focused his comments on energy concerns, specifically the “global dependence on fossil fuels.”

“What I’m saying, is that this is a global problem and it goes like this: if we are to encourage economic growth around the world if we are to raise living standards for all people of all nations the world needs a clean, affordable, diverse energy supply,” Bodman said.

Bodman noted that the president’s Advanced Energy Initiative and Global Nuclear Energy Partnership could also play a role in developing a lasting solution to the world’s growing energy demand.

He said, “GNEP aims to address our growing global energy demands in a way that will foster economic development around the world, improve our environment, responsibly manage nuclear waste, and significantly reduce the threat of nuclear proliferation and terrorism."

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