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Nuclear utility honoured

Thursday, 18 January 2007

Peter Darbee of Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) has called for nuclear power to be discussed as a clean-energy option alongside the others. His words came after he accepted honours for the environmental leadership shown by his company.

Darbee, who is the CEO, Chairman, and President of PG&E, received honours from the National Resources Defense Council (NREC), an organization of scientists, lawyers and environmental specialists founded in 1970. The group has only made two other similar presentations before in its history.

Ralph Cavanaugh, a senior attorney at NREC said: "PG&E sets the bar on environmental leadership for all utilities. The company's industry-leading energy efficiency programs and its bold leadership on climate change provide an example of how the actions of one company can make a significant contribution to protecting the environment."

PG&E have operated the two power reactors at Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant since 1984 and 1985 respectively. The two 1087 MWe pressurised water reactors generate about 32% of PG&E's output, which serves northern and central California. Most of the rest comes from PG&E's hydroelectric portfolio, the largest in private ownership in the USA.

Speaking after the award ceremony, Darbee said that the USA should transform the methods it uses to generate electricity, adding: "We are hearing the beginnings of a national conversation about the future of nuclear power in our country. For now, we believe it is an option that should be on the table with all the others."

He continued to say that nuclear is one of the few technologies for low-carbon electricity generation aside from clean-burning coal, but on that option "it's not clear the technology is there at a certain cost."

Darbee went on to describe his own recommendations to the federal government of the USA on Energy efficiency, renewable energy clean conventional generation, greenhouse gas reporting and transportation technologies.

Further information

Pacific Gas & Electric

National Resources Defense Council

WNA's US Nuclear Power Industry information paper