26 Jun (NucNet): The US will make continued progress in reducing pollution from fossil fuel power plants by leading the way in the development of clean energy technologies such as efficient natural gas, renewables, clean coal technology and nuclear, a climate action plan released by the White House says.
The plan, unveiled yesterday in a speech by President Barack Obama, says there are “abundant clean energy solutions available” and by using them the US can make continued progress in reducing power plant pollution “to improve public health and the environment”.
According to the plan, roughly 84 percent of carbon dioxide emissions in the US are energy-related and about 65 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions can be attributed to energy supply and energy use. It says power plants burning coal, oil and gas are the largest major source of emissions in the US, together accounting for roughly 40 percent of all domestic greenhouse gas pollution.
The plan also includes proposals for the first-ever limits on carbon emissions from new and existing power plants.
It says the US will continue to promote the “safe and secure” use of nuclear energy worldwide through a variety of bilateral and multilateral engagements.
For example, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission advises international partners on safety and regulatory best practices, and the Department of Energy works with international partners on research and development, nuclear waste and storage, training, regulations, quality control, and comprehensive fuel leasing options.
The plan says the US will expand these efforts to promote nuclear energy generation consistent with maximising safety and non-proliferation goals.
Mr Obama’s fiscal year 2014 budget increases funding for clean energy technology by 30 percent to approximately 7.9 billion US dollars (six billion euros). This includes investment in a range of energy technologies, from advanced bio-fuels to clean coal and emerging nuclear technologies including small modular reactors.
In a statement after Mr Obama’s speech, the US Nuclear Energy Institute, which represents the nuclear energy industry, said there is no debating the fact that nuclear energy produces nearly two-thirds of carbon-free electricity in the US.
The NEI said Mr Obama recognised this during the presidential campaign when he said, ‘It is unlikely we can meet our aggressive climate goals if we eliminate nuclear power as an option.’
Likewise, energy secretary Ernest Moniz supports the expansion of nuclear energy to meet national energy and environmental imperatives, the NEI said.
The NEI statement said: “When it comes to reducing the US electric sector’s greenhouse gas emissions, efforts can succeed only if carbon-free nuclear energy plays a larger role in the nation’s electricity mix.”
The Climate Action Plan is online:
www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/image/president27sclimateactionplan.pdf
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