WPUI Members: $65
Non-members: $85
Government: $20
Webcasts: $45
Parking: $10
*Student scholarships are available. Please contact Megan Sharrow at mesharrow @ wisc.edu |
| The Experts |
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Ann Bisconti, President Bisconti Research
Ms. Bisconti will be discussing her research on the public opinion of nuclear power. |
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Dave Lochbaum, Union of Concerned Scientists
Dave will speak about his perspective on the history of nuclear power in America over the past four decades and its future. | |
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Frank Jablonski, Progressive Law LLC
Mr. Jablonski will be discussing the issues that led him to recently becoming a "pro" nuclear after years of being "anti" nuclear. |
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Prof. Mike Corradini
Dept. Head of Nuclear Engineering at UW-Madison
Dr. Corradini will discuss the next generation of nuclear power plant technology. | |
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Prof. Paul Wilson
Professor of Nuclear Engineering at UW-Madison
Dr. Wilson will discuss the waste management technologies and policies for nuclear power. |
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Ed Tirello, Leader of Power and Utilities Group, Berenson and Company
Mr. Tirello will be discussing what it will take for Wall Street to finance new nuclear power. |
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Eugene Grecheck
Vice President of Nuclear Development for Dominion
Mr. Grecheck will be speaking about why nuclear generators are again being considered by utilities and the process one goes through to build a new plant. |
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The Wisconsin Public Utility Institute is hosting a day-long event to discuss the advances that have been made in nuclear power. A range of public opinion experts will highlight some of the factors that motivate these opinions. Professors from UW-Madison will discuss new nuclear power plant designs and waste management strategies. Finally, industry and finance experts will address why utilities are again turning to nuclear power and what conditions will be necessary for Wall Street to finance the endeavor.
At the end of the day, the experts from will participate in a panel discussion, taking questions from the audience. You and your colleagues are welcome to attend and particpate in this event on Wednesday March 26, 2008. |
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Agenda |
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9:30 am Introductions
9:40 am Public Opinion: How does the general pulbic feel about nuclear power and why?
David Lochbaum, Union of Concerned Scientists
Jim Harding, Harding Consulting
Frank Jablonski, Progressive Law Group, LLC
Ann Bisconti, Bisconti Research
11:10 am Current Technologies: Have old problems been solved by new techologies?
Dr. Mike Corradini, UW-Madison
Dr. Paul Wilson, UW-Madison
1:00 pm The Economics of Building New Nuclear Plants: Why do utilities want them and is Wall Street ready to invest?
Eugene Grecheck, Dominion
Ed Tirello, Berenson and Company
Join the days' presenters for a lively, audience-led discussion.
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Public Opinion Experts |
Ann Bisconti: As president of Bisconti Research, Ann will discuss trends from a major public opinion research program sponsored by Nuclear Energy Institute since 1983. This survey shows a substantial change in attitudes toward nuclear energy over the past quarter century, especially since the year 2000. These trends reflect growing concerns about energy and, to some extent, global climate change.
She will also discuss the changing way we look at public opinion and the not-in-my-backyard phenomenon, NIMBY. It has become increasingly apparent that NIMBY exists primarily in locations that are not candidates for nuclear power plants. Two national surveys of nuclear power plant neighbors by Bisconti Research (2005 and 2007) measured, for the first time, the extent of plant neighbor support in different regions of the country.
Dave Lochbaum: As the Director of Nuclear Safety Projects for the Union of Concerned Scientists, Dave will speak about his perspective on the history of nuclear power in America over the past four decades and its future. While the future for nuclear power is uncertain, he believes it appears likely to include the extended operation of current reactors possibly complemented by the operation of a few new reactors. Dave will emphasize his belief that consistently effective regulatory oversight is absolutely required to be as safe and as economical as possible.
Frank Jablonski: Currently an attorney with the local firm Progressive Law, Frank has recently crossed from the "anti" to "pro" side of the nuclear power debate. He will share some of the issues that changed his mind.
For instance, the global warming crisis has stimulated some long-standing prominent environmentalists to re-examine and change their perspective on nuclear energy. New attitudes range from "softening" to outright embrace and advocacy of the nuclear electricity option. Frank will discuss these "conversions" and what the industry might consider doing to encourage a review of the nuclear option. |
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Technical Experts |
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Prof. Mike Corradini: As the head of the Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics Department at UW-Madison, Dr. Corradini will explore the current state of affairs with respect to nuclear reactor designs. In addition to discussing currently operating plants, he will discuss the advanced light water reactor and new Generation IV reactors. The reactor technology for closing the nuclear fuel cycle in the coming decades will be considered.
Prof. Paul Wilson: Dr. Wilson, also with Nuclear Engineering at UW-Madison, will explore the current state of affairs with respect to the disposal of spent nuclear fuel. In addition to outlining the progress on the Yucca Mountain geologic repository, he will discuss some recent legislative proposals and technical developments. The prospects for closing the nuclear fuel cycle in the coming decades will be considered. |
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Industry Experts |
Ed Tirello: As the leader of the Power and Utilities group for Berenson & Co., Mr. Tirello will share his 31 years of experience with investment banking. He will touch on what Wall Street's role could be in the Nuclear Renaissance and what financial tools will be needed to get them on board, including:
- Is Wall Street ready for the next generation of nuclear construction?
- Are the Regulators both State & Federal ready?
- What will be required to assure investors that this time around things will be "better?"
- What will be the biggest hurdles to "getting the cash?"
Eugene Grecheck: As the Vice President of Nuclear Development for Dominion, Mr. Grecheck will share why the utility industry is again looking to nuclear power and what the process of building a plant looks like from a utility perspective, including:
- Early site permitting
- Environmental impact statements
- Combined construction and operating license applications
- Reactor operations and maintenance
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Parking and Registration |
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Seating and parking are limited. Please sign up early.
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| This is a unique opportunity to learn about a complex technology from a number of experts. We look forward to you sharing your own questions and insights with us. | | |
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Thank you for your participation,
Cara Lee Mahany Braithwait
Wisconsin Public Utility Institute
samb @ engr.wisc.edu
608-890-1815 |
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