“Nuclear energy can meet future demand”

NEW DELHI: James Connaughton, chairman of the President’s Council on Environmental Quality (U.S.), on Monday said nuclear energy was critically important to meet the increasing energy demands of the future.

Interacting with reporters during the Second Ministerial Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate here on Monday, Mr. Connaughton said nuclear energy had zero emission and would be useful in meeting the energy demands of large urban centres. “As a next strategy [to meet energy demands and clean environment], we need to pursue nuclear energy,” he said.

Mr. Connaughton said countries could safely and responsibly use nuclear energy as part of the steps for cleaner energy. Those [countries] who possess the capabilities [to use nuclear energy] should do so, he said.

Earlier, addressing the meeting, Mr. Connaughton said the United States had been able, in just the past fiscal year, to contribute $45 million in funds that supported the projects and activities of the Partnership. This support would immediately leverage $120 million in other investments. “As we move forward with our private sector and government partners, this investment will increasingly amplify,” he added.

The Ministerial Meeting was represented by Jan Adams, Ambassador for the Environment, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia; Michael Horgan, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Environment in Canada; Gao Guansheng, Director-General, National Development and Reform Commission from China; Namo Narain Meen, Minister of State for Environment and Forests; Masahi Nakano, Vice-Minister, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan; and Jae Hoon Lee, Vice-Minister, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy from Korea.