Charleston, S.C. (Feb. 11, 2015) –Nuclear Matters today sponsored an event hosted by POLITICO in Charleston, South Carolina, featuring a discussion of energy and the election. The event brought together POLITICO’s South Carolina Caucus members for a deep-dive discussion around the energy policy issues facing the next president.
The event, held at the College of Charleston, included welcome remarks from Nuclear Matters Leadership Council member and former Chairman of the South Carolina Public Service Commission (PSC) David Wright. Wright touched on the importance of South Carolina’s seven nuclear energy reactors for the state’s electricity production.
“We all should recognize the major role that nuclear energy plays in South Carolina’s energy landscape,” said Wright. “Not only are these plants key contributors to the diversity of South Carolina’s energy supply – producing 54 percent of its electricity – but they are also important drivers of the state economy – supporting more than 5,000 in-state jobs and contributing at least $3.3 billion to the local economy each year, not to mention the thousands of additional jobs created by the construction of two new nuclear power reactors in Fairfield County, South Carolina.”
Wright continued: “In addition, these plants are the most important source of carbon-free electricity generation in South Carolina, producing 97 percent of its carbon-free generation and preventing almost 38 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from being emitted into the atmosphere each year. I encourage all stakeholders and policymakers to continue to support these valuable contributors to South Carolina’s reliable and clean energy production.”