Greenpeace co-founder advocates more nukes

Dr. Patrick Moore, a co-founder of Greenpeace and co-chair of the Clean and Safe Energy Coalition, spoke today in Iowa in support of nuclear power as a clean, safe, reliable and cost-effective way to balance America's energy demands and protect the environment.

"Our country's significant energy needs keep growing. We must diversify our energy sources to meet these needs," said Dr. Moore. "Nuclear energy should be an important part of this diversification plan, especially since its production generates no air pollutants or greenhouse gases."

Members of a supporting coalition said that new nuclear power plants would create economic, consumer and environmental benefits. Just one new facility would create 1,400-1,800 construction jobs, employ 400-500 full-time professional workers, result in 400-500 jobs in surrounding communities, and generate $500 million a year for local economies. Employees at U.S. nuclear power plants also earn salaries approximately 40 percent higher than salaries earned by non-plant employees in nearby communities, they pointed out.

Dr. Moore stressed that nuclear energy is also an environmentally clean option for electricity production - it produces no harmful greenhouse gases suspected to cause global warming and no gases that could cause ground-level ozone formation, smog or acid rain.

"Scientific evidence shows that nuclear power is an environmentally sound and safe energy choice," said Dr. Moore. "To create a safe environment and secure energy for our future, the United States must regain its leadership in this area. If the United States were to double nuclear energy production, it would be possible to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while increasing our energy supply."

Nuclear energy currently produces electricity for one out of five U.S. homes and businesses.

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