Summary
Wisconsin faces a future energy crisis. The State's most recent energy policy predicts a 6300 megawatt shortfall by 2016, the equivalent of roughly 12 large centralized electrical generation plants. Moreover, Wisconsin's current generating capacity is very old—the newest of its 15 large coal-fired plants are more than 30 years old and most are between 40 and 70 years old. The existing nuclear fleet is between 25 and 30 years old and is likely to be relicensed within the next decade. Finally, there is limited existing import capability and ongoing debate about additional transmission lines to enhance this capability.

At the same time, Wisconsin's options for new energy sources are limited. The state currently does not allow new nuclear plants to be built and new transmission lines face stiff resistance. The consequences of failing to address this future energy shortage could be staggering to the state's economy. The Energy Systems and Policy faculty have a mandate to pursue the Wisconsin Idea by engaging in the State's energy policy debate. Thus, a group of faculty are organizing a two-day forum to inform and educate key decision makers (legislative, business, civic and religious), environmental organizations, teachers, students, and the public on the difficult issues involved in the State's energy policy. We intend to place special emphasis on legislators and policy makers. The forum will also serve to introduce a year-long program of outreach and education activities aimed at engaging policy-makers with the specific issue. A forum of this nature is sure to increase the role played by the University in State energy policy development and possibly in regional and national energy policy.

For this first year, the topic will be "The Future of Nuclear Energy in Wisconsin". We believe the State must give serious attention to utilizing nuclear energy for generating electricity in plants built after those currently under regulatory review and approval. Wisconsin has a proud tradition of leading the country by recognizing the importance of limiting emissions from its energy systems. In keeping with this tradition, we should strive to limit CO₂ emissions as we increase our generation capacity. Former Secretary of Interior Bruce Babbitt has stated that "…climate change is the most important environmental issue facing this planet." New nuclear power plants represent an economically attractive low emission (not only on CO₂, but also sulfur oxides, nitrous oxides, particulates and mercury releases) electricity generation technology and will help Wisconsin compete in the emerging economy of this new century.
Following on the success of this forum, an annual event is envisioned to address various specific issues emerging from many general energy policy topics being addressed by UW-Madison faculty and scientists: capacity for alternative energy technologies, the cost of unreliable energy systems, sustainability metrics for energy systems, the impacts of atmospheric emissions, or the role of Wisconsin in the transition to a hydrogen economy.

Program Details

Registration will occur at Noon on October 22nd, 2003 with the first session extending from 1:00 - 5:00PM, followed by a social hour (for networking) and then dinner. The second-day program will run from 8:00AM to 1:00PM. Nuclear topics will include: safety, health effects of radiation, security issues, high-level wastes, transportation issues and economics..
There will also be four special events.

1. We have confirmed that Bruce Babbitt, the former Arizona governor and former Secretary of Interior in the Clinton Administration to be our dinner speaker.
2. We plan a Round Table Discussion, with participants being members of the state media. The hope here is that we will obtain considerable publicity for the forum and that we will stimulate the media to join in a long-range policy discussion.
3. We plan an interactive simulation of energy policy, modeled on that of the "We the People" forum held in September 2001, allowing multiple small groups of participants to make their own policy decisions and study the economic and environmental impacts of those decisions. This event might also include targeted groups of non-registrants, for example, WI high school students.
4. We have confirmed that Dr. Richard A. Meserve, former chairman of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission will be our luncheon speaker.
Sponsorship: We have the sponsorship of UW-Madison, specifically the College of Engineering, the Medical School and the Institute for Environmental Studies.

Organizers: Dr. Phil Carlson (Medical School), Profs. Mike Corradini, Max Carbon, Paul Wilson, and Researcher John Murphy (Engineering), with advice from Tom Still, President of WI Technology Council.

Scheduled Speakers: Bruce Babbitt (former Governor of Arizona and Secretary of the Interior during the Clinton Administration), Richard Meserve (former Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission), Drs. Robert Budnitz, Lee Peddicord, William Magwood, Paul DeLuca and Curt Yeager.

Conclusion:
With the topic of the Future of Nuclear Energy in Wisconsin, this forum provides an opportunity for the University and the State to demonstrate continued leadership in the sustainable development of environmentally sound and forward-thinking energy policy. By examining the difficult questions posed by this specific topic, this forum hopes to result in concrete developments in Wisconsin's energy policy.

Conference Comittee

Max Carbon—Emeritus Chair of Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics

Phil Carlson—Clinical Associate Professor, Medical School

John Murphy—Senior Researcher, Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics

Paul Wilson—Assistant Professor, Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics