The Washington DC 100

A strong nuclear energy industry is essential to America’s energy independence, our military and national security strength against new and old adversaries, and a practical path to combating climate change.

The United States needs public and private sector leadership for nuclear energy sustainability in our nation’s energy mix. This starts with maintaining existing plants, completing construction of new nuclear units currently underway, and investing in the next generation of advanced nuclear technology.

In this edition of The Washington DC 100, we call attention to the important role nuclear energy plays in our energy security and – above all – our national security.

– Gloria Story Dittus, Chairman, Story Partners

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Hurricane Harvey reminds us that extreme weather will become more common as the climate responds to massive carbon dioxide emissions. There’s an urgent need to reduce carbon emitting fuel sources. Nuclear energy produces no carbon emissions while providing almost 20% of U.S. electricity.

Nuclear power is struggling against low natural gas prices and energy markets optimized for short-term profits over long-term planning. New nuclear plant designs are decades away from realization and will not provide immediate solutions.

Policy gridlock exists in planning for a geologic repository to handle the dangerous radioactive wastes. Nuclear power needs policy leadership.

– Allison Macfarlane, Professor and Director, Institute for International Science and Technology Policy, George Washington University

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The U.S. should lead when it comes to maintaining safe, secure, reliable nuclear energy programs. Taking action to maintain current power plants, complete new plant construction, and further nuclear technology development can enhance power grid operations with a more reliable capability; shape global standards for safety and security operations, emergency response and nonproliferation; and prevent certain countries from aggressively leveraging influence as an energy supplier to fragile countries across the globe.

It is in our economic and national security interest to share our innovation and set higher standards for the use of safe, trusted nuclear technology around the world.

– Michael Chertoff and Katy Montgomery, The Chertoff Group

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The nuclear power industry has come under sustained economic threat that undermines the dominant leadership position once held by the United States. Domestic nuclear infrastructure and the educational base that supports it directly contribute to our national security, especially in the field of nuclear weapons proliferation, and are increasingly left out of plans to expand the nation’s power base with a reliable and long-term clean energy source.

Like other sources of energy, the pending extension of the nuclear production tax credit must be passed to send the unmistakable signal for the vitality of the nuclear industry and our security.

– CDR Kirk S. Lippold, USN (Ret), President, Lippold Strategies LLC

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Increasing lifespans, advancing knowledge and improving living standards requires resilient and affordable clean energy, including nuclear energy. Fortunately, public and policy opinions are evolving to recognize nuclear energy as a vital clean energy source. But for nuclear to be successful, it must create products for modern markets.

Government structures must evolve to support the emerging new nuclear entrepreneurs, specifically providing: tax and incentive approaches that value innovation, research programs that enable commercial leadership while taking risk, and regulation that moves at the speed dictated by commerce. Most importantly, nuclear engineers must stop apologizing and tout their product! Nuclear Improves Lives!

– Todd Allen, Senior Visiting Fellow, Third Way

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Our 99 nuclear reactors support a massive ecosystem that’s critical especially to national security.

Russia and China understand this. They are involved in 78% of nuclear reactors currently under construction around the globe. Even though we maintain a lead in intellectual capital, other countries are quickly gaining ground.

The U.S. nuclear fleet is aging, over-regulated and headed for eventual extinction under the current conditions. Vision and prioritization would be a good start that goes a long way. The U.S. has the opportunity to take a stand and develop advanced reactors, thereby supporting both national and economic security.

– Rich Powell, Executive Director, ClearPath

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An underlying premise to U.S. national security has been that America would maintain primacy in any science, engineering and technology that constitutes a threat to American interests – particularly nuclear.

However, competing powers bolster their institutional nuclear expertise and outpace the U.S. in civilian nuclear. If left unchallenged, America will be displaced as the dominant global force in civilian nuclear power, threatening its position of primacy.

America’s response must be comprehensive and aggressive, with a well-defined objective. It’s time to elevate American primacy in civilian nuclear power as a formal and strategic objective of American national security policy.

– David Gattie, Associate Professor of Engineering, University of Georgia

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