The Future of Nuclear
Energy in the United States
John J. Grossenbacher
President and Laboratory Director
Idaho National Laboratory

GLOBAL 2005
October 10, 2005
Tsukuba International Congress Center
Tsukuba, Japan

Forces for change
Idaho NationalLaboratory••••

Energy security
Cost
Environmental impact
Developed and developing world
demand• Balanced portfolio• Industry and regulatory maturity

Noteworthy developments• Energy Policy Act of 2005
• New plant construction• A lead U.S. laboratory for nuclear energy

Energy Policy Act of 2005
Key provisions• Nuclear power—A central componentof U.S. energy strategy• Long-term investment in hydrogen economy• Broad approach to developing new energy
resources and encouraging conservation

Energy Bill provisions – nuclear science,technology, education• Next Generation Nuclear Plant• Nuclear Hydrogen Production• Nuclear Research and Development• University Nuclear Engineering
ProgramEnergy Bill provisions – new plants• Loan guarantees• Risk insurance• Price-Anderson Act• Tax incentives

New plant construction—foundationof U.S. nuclear growth• New plant orders expected• 10 companies

NuStart$100 million for applications• Claiborne County, Mississippi• Northern Alabama

Unistar Nuclear• Joint enterprise
ConstellationEnergy• Bechtel

Discernable changes in attitude•

Greenpeace cofounder Patrick Moore– “Nuclear energy is the only non-greenhousegas-emitting energy source that can effectively
replace fossil fuels and satisfy global demand.”•Environmentalist James Lovelock– “Civilization is in imminent danger and has to use
nuclear—the one safe, available, energy source—
now or suffer the pain soon to be inflicted by ouroutraged planet.”

The White House position• “America hasn’t ordered a nuclear power
plant since the 1970s, and it’s time to startbuilding again.”• “Decades of experience and advances intechnology have proven that nuclear power
is reliable and secure.”• “A secure energy future must include
nuclear power.”
President George W. BushMarch 9, 2005
Battelle Memorial InstituteThe Department of Energy selected
INL to lead the U.S. renaissancein nuclear energy“Here in Idaho, wewill have thepremier facility fornuclear energy inthe country.”
Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman,speaking at INL on June 1, 2005

Department of Energy vision for INL
Within 10 years• Become the preeminent internationally recognized
nuclear energy research, development, anddemonstration laboratory• Become a major center for national and homeland
security technology development anddemonstration• Become a multiprogram national laboratory withworld-class nuclear capabilities• Foster unprecedented academic, industry,government, and international collaborations toproduce needed investment, programs, andexpertiseThe new Idaho National Laboratory• Transition• Consolidation• Transformation

Why INL?
• Heritage• Ongoing programs• Leadership• Experienceand expertise• Location

The Pressing challenge ofnuclear energy in the United Statesand for INL
Create a technically achievable, economicallyviable, politically palatable, and environmentallyacceptable nuclear energy option for theUnited States that deserves and earns publicconfidence and trust.

International Nuclear Leadershipfor the 21st Century