The future of nuclear power

The prospects for nuclear power vary widely from country to country as a result of many factors, ranging from the costs of alternatives, the response to the Fukushima accident, differing approaches to energy security, concerns about nuclear waste, and other factors. These changes in the coming years will dramatically affect progress on matters relating to safety, security and safeguards. In a February talk hosted by the MIT Energy Initiative, Richard A. Meserve, President of the Carnegie Institution for Science, explored the changing role of nuclear power around the globe and its implications. This talk was presented on February 12, 2013 as part of the IHS Markit Seminar Series. About the speaker: Dr. Richard A. Meserve is the President of the Carnegie Institution for Science. He previously served as Chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) under Presidents Clinton and Bush. Meserve was a partner of Covington & Burling LLP and he now serves as Senior of Counsel to the firm on a part-time basis. Early in his career, he was legal counsel to the President’s science adviser and a law clerk to Justice Harry A. Blackmun of the United States Supreme Court. He received his undergraduate degree from Tufts University in 1966, a law degree from Harvard in 1975, and a PhD in applied physics from Stanford in 1976. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He served on the Blue-Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future established by DOE Secretary Chu at the direction of the President. He also currently serves as President of the Board of Overseers of Harvard University and Chairman of the International Nuclear Safety Group, which is chartered by the International Atomic Energy Agency. ___ The MIT Energy Initiative is MIT’s hub for energy research, education, and outreach. Learn more at http://energy.mit.edu.