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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 30, 2007
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FOR MORE INFORMATION
Liz Purchia
202-338-CASE (2273)
media@CASEnergy.org
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Gov. Whitman Promotes Nuclear Energy in Speech to Florida Economic Club
CASEnergy Co-Chair Touts Benefits of Nuclear Energy in Meeting Rising Demand
TALLAHASSEE, FL, May 30, 2007 – Former EPA Administrator and Governor of New Jersey Christine Todd Whitman addressed the Florida Economic Club today in a speech that highlighted the role nuclear energy can play in meeting Florida’s rising electricity demand and addressing the challenges posed by global climate change.
“Our world-class economy depends on world-class grids to trade stocks, buy and sell and communicate instantly. But world-class economies know when to recalibrate themselves,” said Whitman in her remarks. “When it comes to electricity, we must recognize that our current sources of electricity will not sustain us.”
Co-Chair of the Clean and Safe Energy Coalition (CASEnergy) with Dr. Patrick Moore, co-founder of Greenpeace, Whitman has been traveling the country in an effort to have a national dialogue on nuclear energy and its future in the United States.
With the state of Florida estimated to need 18,000 megawatts of capacity in the next 10 years alone, Whitman focused much of her remarks on the benefits of nuclear energy in meeting rising demand, both on a national scale and locally in Florida.
“Nuclear energy produces no carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases suspected of causing global warming,” said Whitman. “Nuclear energy is also efficient…In addition, nuclear energy has the lowest production cost of all major sources of electricity.”
Whitman also applauded Florida for being a leader in supporting nuclear energy, with five nuclear reactors providing safe and reliable power across the state.
“For its part, Florida has taken a number of steps of which you should be proud. Florida passed legislation last year supporting and encouraging new nuclear plants – setting an example for the rest of the country on how to create a climate where new nuclear can be considered a key option for clean and economical energy,” said Whitman.
Florida members of the CASEnergy Coalition include former Gov. Jeb Bush, the Florida State Medical Society, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Associated Industries of Florida, NAACP – Tampa, the Tampa Bay Partnership and eighteen local chapters of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
About The CASEnergy Coalition:
The CASEnergy Coalition is a large grassroots coalition of over 1000 members that unites unlikely allies across the business, environmental, academic, consumer and labor community to support nuclear energy. We believe that nuclear energy can improve energy security, ensure clean air quality, and enhance the quality of life and economic well-being of all Americans.
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