March 26 , 2008, 9 am - 4 pm
Room 1610 Engineering Hall (map)
Madison, Wisconsin
Live webcasts of the presentations may be found on our mediasite.
- What is the current state of public opinion toward nuclear power?
- How have nuclear power plants changed in the last 30 years?
- What is our current waste management strategy?
- How does Wall Street feel about the Nuclear Renaissance?
Agenda
9:30 am Introductions
9:40 am Public Opinion: How does the general pulbic feel about nuclear power and why?
Click here for a printable agenda
Click here for a video library of the presentations
Speaker Bios
 Ann Bisconti: As president of the Bisconti Research, Ann
will discuss trends from a major public opinion research program sponsored by Nuclear Energy Institute since 1983 which show a substantial change in attitudes toward nuclear energy over the past quarter century, especially since the year 2000. These trends reflect growing concerns about energy and, to some extent, global climate change.
Also changing is the way we look at public opinion and the not-in-my-backyard phenomenon, NIMBY. It has become increasingly apparent that NIMBY exists primarily in locations that are not candidates for nuclear power plants. Two national surveys of nuclear power plant neighbors by Bisconti Research (2005 and 2007) measured, for the first time, the extent of plant neighbor support in different regions of the country.
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 Dave Lochbaum: As the Director of Nuclear Safety Projects for the Union of Concerned Scientists, Dave will speak about his perspective on the history of nuclear power in America over the past four decades and its future. While the future for nuclear power is uncertain, but it appears likely to include the extended operation of current reactors possibly complemented by the operation of a few new reactors. Dave will emphasize his belief that consistently effective regulatory oversight is absolutely required to be as safe and as economical as possible.
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 Frank Jablonski: Currently an attorney with Progressive Law and formerly a member of the Sierra Club, Frank has recently crossed from the "anti" to "pro" side of the nuclear power debate. He will share some of the issues that changed his mind.
For instance, the global warming crisis has stimulated some long-standing prominent environmentalists to re-examine and change their perspective on nuclear energy. New attitudes range from "softening" to outright embrace and advocacy of the nuclear electricity option. Frank Jablonski will talk about these "conversions" and what the industry might consider doing to encourage a review of the nuclear option.
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 Prof. Mike Corradini: As the head of the Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics Department at UW-Madison, Dr. Corradini will explore the current state of affairs with respect to nuclear reactor designs. In addition to discussing currently operating plants, he will discuss the advanced light water reactor and new Generation IV reactors. The reactor technology for closing the nuclear fuel cycle in the coming decades will be considered.
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Prof. Paul Wilson: Dr. Wilson, also with Nuclear Engineering at UW-Madison, will explore the current state of affairs with respect to the disposal of spent nuclear fuel. In addition to outlining the progress on the Yucca Mountain geologic repository, he will discuss some recent legislative proposals and technical developments. The prospects for closing the nuclear fuel cycle in the coming decades will be considered.
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 Ed Tirello: As the leader of the Power and Utilities group for Berenson & Co., Mr. Tirello will share his 31 years of experience with investment banking. He will touch on what Wall Street's role could be in the Nuclear Renaissance and what financial tools will be needed to get them on board, including:
- Is Wall Street ready for the next generation of nuclear construction?
- Are the Regulators both State & Federal ready?
- What will be required to assure investors that this time around things will be "better?"
- What will be the biggest hurdles to "getting the cash?"
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Eugene Grecheck: As the Vice President of Nuclear Development for Dominion, Mr. Grecheck will share why the utility industry is again looking to nuclear power and what the process of building a plant looks like from a utility perspective, including:
- Early site permitting
- Environmental impact statements
- Combined construction and operating license applications
- Reactor operations and maintenance
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Jim Harding: Information unavailable at this time.
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