Nuclear power's role in replacing aging energy infrastructure was topic at summit

The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) said late last week that the White House's vocal support of nuclear energy earlier this month at a summit it hosted on nuclear energy wasn't all that came out of the summit.

White House Economic Council 
Deputy Director  Jason Miller said the global civil nuclear market is estimated to be valued at approximately $500 billion over a 10-year period, and exports from the U.S. have the potential for approximately $100 billion in technology. Miller said U.S. leadership in nuclear markets is crucial to serving economic, safety and nonproliferation priorities.

The NEI said other countries -- including India, China, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom -- are making investments in nuclear projects.

Earlier this month, the White House hosted a summit on nuclear energy ahead of the  international conference on climate change that begins in Paris on Monday.

During the White House summit, Westinghouse Electric Co. President and CEO Danny Roderick said one of the big challenges for the next decade is the replacement of aging electrical generation capacity through coal and nuclear forms that will be retired in the next 20 years. Roderick replacing them with gas-fired plants would drive up prices.

Other summit panelists also said market conditions in many communities are causing nuclear facilities to be retired before their operating licenses run out.