Columbia Daily Tribune: Experts Lend Power to Event

Research, Policy Discussions Will Fill Schedule

By: Janese Heavin

There’s a lot of energy today on the University of Missouri’s Columbia campus, where national experts, researchers and innovators are coming together to discuss the future of nuclear power, oil, coal technologies and renewable resources.

The University of Missouri’s first Missouri Energy Summit kicked off at noon at Jesse Hall, where Texas oil tycoon T. Boone Pickens was scheduled to address a sold-out audience. Panelists, guest speakers and roughly 560 registered participants will then spend the rest of today and tomorrow discussing energy research and policy issues.

Coal, solar and wind technologies are up for discussion, but nuclear energy will likely be a focal point as AmerenUE continues to plan for a second reactor at the Callaway County power plant. Although the debate over how to fund the plant continues, the need for more nuclear power is clear, said Karen Harbert, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for 21st Century Energy.

“By choosing to expand nuclear power, you continue to keep jobs in Missouri, and it has tangible benefits for the environment because it’s an emissions-free source of energy,” Harbert said. “We do need more wind and solar, and I know Missouri is pursing that with the rest of the country.

“But even if we double or triple our use of those renewable sources of electricity, it will yield less than 10 percent of the utility demand in this country.

“Over the long term, certainly we need new technologies, but we can’t shut down the electric grid while we wait for new technologies while we have technologies readily available today.”
Harbert, who was scheduled to speak during today’s events, commended MU for hosting the summit, which she said is unique because it’s bringing together not only energy experts, but also academic leaders and the private sector. All are key to developing new energy technologies and ensuring they’re available and being used, she said.

“I’m an optimist in this debate,” Harbert said. “If the federal government and Congress can establish a framework for the private sector, we will expand capabilities and develop technologies that will not only meet our country’s challenge but also ensure our country can help the rest of the world meet their challenges.”