Feinstein's global warming bill to benefit nuclear industry: PG&E

Washington (Platts)--30Mar2006

Mandatory cap-and-trade provisions in a global warming bill Senator
Dianne Feinstein, Democrat-California, is expected to unveil next week would
make emission-free nuclear power more attractive, according to Peter Darbee,
president, chairman and CEO of Pacific Gas & Electric.

The San Francisco-based utility has been working with Feinstein on the
issue, he told reporters Thursday.

Darbee called global climate change a "serious threat to the environment"
and said PG&E believes taking a leadership role in helping find a solution
would be a win-win situation for the utility.

Energy technologies that potentially could benefit from a cap on carbon
dioxide emissions and trade of emission allowances include nuclear power,
natural gas, and integrated gasification combined cycle technology, Darbee
said.

Nuclear power is only one that is a mature technology and reasonably
priced, he said. Natural gas is mature, but its price is volatile, Darbee
said, adding that IGCC is a high-cost technology that is not yet mature.

PG&E owns and operates the two-reactor Diablo Canyon nuclear station
outside Avila Beach, California.

For more information, take a trial to Platts Nucleonics Week at
http://nucweek.platts.com.


 

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