TVA Board Member Endorses New Nuclear Build

Howard Thrailkill, a TVA board member from Alabama told a local meeting of the American Society of Mechnical Engineers in Huntsville that nuclear power is key to meeting the country's future energy needs:

"The Department of Energy estimates in 25 years we're going to need 45 percent more electrical energy in this country," Thrailkill said.

From the standpoint of cost per kilowatt hour, the lack of greenhouse gas emissions and the ability to manufacture modern, easier to run plants, nuclear power is the best option for future power needs, he said.

Thrailkill said if Browns Ferry's Unit 1 is successfully returned to service in May, the utility would then target Watts Bar, bringing its dormant reactor online.

He said TVA will consider building new reactors at the Bellefonte site, and said TVA could partner with another entity to build modern new reactors.

Technorati tags: Nuclear Energy, Nuclear Power, Energy, Electricity, Environment, Politics, Technology, TVA