Energy Expert Discusses Economic Downside of New Wisconsin Nuclear Reactors

A nuclear energy expert discusses the economic challenges of new nuclear reactors and their negative effect on Wisconsin jobs in an address at Lawrence University. The event is free and open to the public.

Peter-Bradford_web.jpg

Peter Bradford, vice-chair of the board of the Union of Concerned Scientists and a member of the Policy Advisory Committee of the China Sustainable Energy Program, presents “Can Wisconsin Afford New Nuclear Reactors?” Thursday, Nov. 5 at 12 noon in the Warch Campus Center Kraemer Room.

An advisor on utility regulation, restructuring, nuclear power and energy policy in the United States and abroad, Bradford will examine some of the myths supporting nuclear energy, explain why nuclear energy is more expensive than alternative ways of combating climate change and discuss why the same concerns that regulated previous nuclear energy use are still applicable today.

Bradford served as a member of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission from 1977-82, during which time the Three Mile Island accident occurred, resulting in major revisions of the NRC’s regulatory and enforcement processes. He has taught classes on energy policy and environmental protection at Yale University and nuclear power and public policy at Vermont Law School.

A former chair of the New York and Maine public utility commissions, Bradford is the author of the book “Fragile Structures: A Story of Oil Refineries, National Security and the Coast of Maine.”

His appearance is sponsored by Greenfire, the campus environmental student organization.