Senate confirms Spurgeon to restored DOE nuclear position

Washington (Platts)--3Apr2006

The Senate has confirmed Dennis Spurgeon, a former USEC Inc. executive, as
DOE's first assistant secretary for nuclear energy in more than a decade.

Spurgeon was confirmed March 27 in an 88-0 vote nearly two weeks after the
Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee approved the nomination. Energy
legislation enacted last year re-created the assistant secretary position. The
post was downgraded in 1993, putting nuclear within the Office of Nuclear
Energy, Science and Technology under the leadership of an office director.

Senator Pete Domenici, a staunch supporter of nuclear power and chairman of
the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, this week said the confirmation
restored the position to the level of importance it deserves. "We are on the
cusp of a nuclear power renaissance in this country," the New Mexico
Republican said. "I think Mr. Spurgeon's leadership and expertise come at a
critical time."

Spurgeon assumes office as the country faces the need for new baseload
generating capacity. "By DOE's own projections, electricity demand will grow
45% by 2030," said Alex Flint, Nuclear Energy Institute senior vice president
of governmental affairs. Flint said that the industry, as well as NEI, looks
forward working with Spurgeon to maximize nuclear energy's role in meeting the
growing demand for electricity.

Spurgeon will be sworn in once President George W. Bush signs the necessary
paperwork, DOE press secretary Craig Stevens said March 28. Spurgeon has a
master's degree in nuclear engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology.

Most recently, Spurgeon was vice president and chief operating officer of
USEC. Positions he held before that included chief operating officer for UNC
Resources Inc. and assistant director for fuel cycle in the Energy Research
and Development Administration, an energy R&D organization and DOE's
predecessor.

Elaine Hiruo, Washington

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