Nuclear utilities among climate change leaders
Private corporations should take the lead on tackling emissions rather than wait for government to pass legislation, according to a top utility executive. Two nuclear utilities have been honoured by the Carbon Disclosure Project.
Private corporations should take the lead on tackling emissions rather than wait for government to pass legislation, according to a top utility executive.
Ruth Ann Gillis, executive vice president of US nuclear generator Exelon and president of its business services unit, insisted that there is an urgent need for businesses to assess and address their impacts on global warming. Public policy and the actions of business and society are closely interlinked, and Gillis hopes that actions by private corporations in the USA will prompt their government to pass legislative actions to address the climate change challenge effectively and economically.
Exelon is the largest operator of nuclear power plants in the USA. In its 'Exelon 2020: a low carbon roadmap' plan, the company said it would build new low-carbon generating capacity when and where it is needed. Although not specifically mentioning Exelon's proposal and application to build a new 3040 MWe nuclear power plant in Texas, the plan states that "construction of a new nuclear power plant could add another 7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent reductions per year."
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| Loviisa helps towards Fortum's low-carbon objectives |
Gillis' remarks came as Finnish generator Fortum was honoured as one of the best utilities in the world for its approach to climate change. This is the second consecutive year that the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) has included Fortum in its Climate Disclosure Leadership Index, which is says is a "prestigious honour roll" for global corporations addressing the challenges of climate change.
Fortum is one of the lowest emitting power producers in Europe, and it says climate change mitigation has long been a major driver of company strategy. Fortum runs two nuclear power reactors at Loviisa in Finland, which generate nearly 1000 MWe, and is hoping for a third on the same site.
Exelon was the top US utility in the CDP. It currently owns and operate 17 reactor units at ten sites in three US states. Exelon has announced that nuclear power is needed to meet the USA's future energy and environmental needs: the company predicts that 20 to 30 new nuclear power plants will be needed in America by 2030 in order to address climate change and enhance energy security.
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