Utility Chief Calls For More US Suppliers For New N-Plants
Written by NucNet
Wednesday, 17 June 2009
More US suppliers will be needed to provide materials necessary for the construction of new nuclear power plants in the country, the head of DTE Energy told a meeting of business, government and academic leaders in the city of Detroit.
Anthony Earley, DTE Energy's chairman and chief executive officer, said on 16 June 2009 that nuclear energy would be one of the most effective climate control strategies for the nation's electric utilities.
Mr Earley said modern nuclear power plant designs were much improved and more standardised, making them simpler, more compact, safer and less costly to build and operate. But he added:
"One of the challenges we'll face with the resurgence of nuclear energy is also one of our biggest opportunities. The number of US nuclear suppliers has shrunk and global competition is already heating up for the limited material and manpower now available.
"There's no doubt we need more suppliers, as well as highly-skilled construction workers to build nuclear units, and more qualified operators to run new plants."
However, Mr Earley said there was "no single solution" to meeting the country's energy challenge and he said there would also be "incredible growth" in the development of renewables in the energy mix over the next decade.
