March 5, 2010
Contact: Matt Letourneau 202-463-5945
PHOENIX, AZ — The president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for 21st Century Energy today told Arizonans that their state was poised to play a pivotal role in America’s energy future.
Addressing the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, Karen Harbert outlined the energy realities and opportunities facing Arizona and the U.S.. Harbert told attendees that a comprehensive energy strategy that takes advantage of all resources will be needed to meet growing energy needs in Arizona and across the nation.
“Through its abundant natural resources like solar energy and its diverse energy portfolio that includes coal, nuclear, and hydroelectric power, Arizona has an opportunity to demonstrate that the best approach to energy is a comprehensive one,” said Harbert.
Currently, Arizona is reliant on coal for about 40 percent of its electricity, with nuclear providing about 25 percent and other sources such as hydroelectric, natural gas and renewables the remainder.
“Arizonans know first-hand the benefits of clean, emissions-free nuclear power,” Harbert said. “That means that Arizonans also a stake in ensuring that the federal government meet its legal obligations to handle the waste from those reactors.”
The Palo Verde nuclear power plant is the nation’s largest, and Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has made expansion of nuclear power a priority for her Administration.
On Thursday, the Obama Administration formally announced it would drop plans for the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository program. However, the Administration has not designated an alternative plan for nuclear waste.
Harbert also discussed the need to streamline permitting and construction of energy projects, including solar, which are being held up across the country due to excessive “green tape.”
“The regulatory process is now being abused to delay and cancel needed energy projects—even a proposal to build solar panels in the Mojave Desert is under attack,” Harbert said. “We must reform laws in order to put an end to all of the “green tape”—the frequent abuse of environmental and siting regulations to delay, disrupt and destroy energy projects.”
While in Arizona, Harbert also spoke to graduate-level students at Arizona State University’s W.P Carey School of Business and met with business leaders.
The mission of the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for 21st Century Energy is to unify policymakers, regulators, business leaders, and the American public behind a common sense energy strategy to help keep America secure, prosperous, and clean. Through policy development, education, and advocacy, the Institute is building support for meaningful action at the local, state, national, and international levels.
The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.