CASEnergy Symposium on Capitol Hill 
CASEnergy Co-Chairs Christine Todd Whitman, former NJ Governor and EPA Administrator, and Dr. Patrick Moore, co-founder of Greenpeace, hosted a lunchtime symposium entitled “The Role of Nuclear in Addressing Our Nation’s Energy Challenges” on Tuesday, May 15, 2007.
The event, held on Capitol Hill, was a great success and united diverse groups representing unions, manufacturers, nuclear utilities and an important environmental organization to discuss our nation’s energy issues. The goal was to spread knowledge and help find solutions to our country’s rising energy demand.
Democratic and Republican congressional staffers, the media, and CASEnergy members attended, and the audience had an opportunity to ask questions and participate in an exchange of ideas with our speakers and invited guests. Speakers included Mark Brownstein, Jim Hunter, Renze Hoeksema and Keith McCoy.
Governor Whitman gave the opening remarks, speaking about the future of CASEnergy and recognizing the diverse and bi-partisan support for nuclear within the U.S., "The CASEnergy Coalition currently numbers almost 1,000 members from across the country - members as diverse as the Chicago Urban League, the Michigan Medical Society, former Governors Jeb Bush and Jim Blanchard, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the California Manufacturers and Technology Association and the Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit – and all of which have decided to support nuclear energy in this country. Together, they are proof that energy security and environmental protection are not partisan issues."
The Honorable James Clyburn (D-SC) Majority Whip of the U.S. House of Representatives then led with the keynote address, laying the framework for a panel discussion, which was moderated by Ben Wattenberg, a Senior Fellow with the American Enterprise Institute and host of “Think Tank with Ben Wattenberg” on PBS. 
Rep. Clyburn stated, "We must do all we can to increase energy efficiency and conservation. But that alone will not get us there. I like to say our country needs a smorgasbord of options. We must diversify our energy supply and look to alternative and renewable technologies. I firmly believe nuclear energy has to be a part of that conversation - not only to meet the power needs of the future but to tackle the challenges of global climate change."
Dr. Moore then told the story of his transformation from being anti-nuclear as co-founder and leader of Greenpeace, speaking candidly with the panelists and guests about his decision to support nuclear.
The panelists, listed below, each presented their positions on nuclear, often citing its economic and environmental benefits:
- Mark Brownstein, Managing Director, Business Partnerships, Environmental Defense
- Jim Hunter, Utilities Director, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
- Renze Hoeksema, Director, Federal Affairs, DTE Energy
- Keith McCoy, Vice President, Energy and Resources Policy, National Association of Manufacturers
Dr. Moore concluded, “nuclear energy is just one part of our energy make-up, but a critical one, which must be combined with alternatives and renewables like wind and solar. Nuclear energy does not emit greenhouse gases and will decrease our environmental impact on the world and reduce our CO2 emissions."
CASEnergy will continue to bring disparate voices together on the issue of nuclear energy.