Former EPA Leaders to Discuss the Complex Role of Nuclear Energy

Former Environmental Protection Agency administrators Christine Todd Whitman and William Reilly will speak on how the nation should balance the complexities of nuclear power on Wednesday, Sept. 7, at Duke University.

The conversation at Duke’s Sanford School of Public Policy will examine nuclear energy’s role in a clean and safe energy future. The talk, which is free and open to the public, will take place in the school’s Fleishman Commons from 5-6 p.m., followed by a reception. 

“Nuclear energy is by far the largest source of zero-carbon power in the country,” said Tim Profeta, director of the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions at Duke. “But nuclear power, and its role in controlling climate change is a vexing and complex topic. Even though it currently has a key role in ensuring that power reliably gets to every user, some citizens’ concerns about the other environmental risks of nuclear power create a strong countervailing sentiment against it.”

Whitman served in the cabinet of President George W. Bush as EPA Administrator from 2001-2003. She was also the first woman governor of New Jersey, from 1994-2001. She has served as co-chair of The Clean and Safe Energy (CASEnergy) Coalition since it was formed in 2006.

Reilly was EPA Administrator from 1988-1993. In 2010 he was appointed by President Obama to co-chair the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling, and in late 2012 was named to the President’s Global Development Council. Reilly is a senior adviser to TPG Capital, LP and chairs the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions’ Board of Advisors.

The talk is sponsored by the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions and is co-sponsored by the Sanford School of Public Policy.