 |
1204 Whiskey Rd, Suite B "State of the Industry" Meetings for Legislators |
2017 CNTA State of the Nuclear Industry in South Carolina
January 26th, 2017
Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness (CNTA) held its annual State of the Nuclear Industry in South Carolina meeting last week for SC Legislators to help them better understand what the nuclear industry does for the state.
Jim Marra, CNTA Executive Director, said the event was an opportunity to better equip lawmakers with more information about how reliant South Carolina is on the nuclear industry, the number of jobs it provides, and the economic impact it has across the state. This year's update included a focus on education investment provided by the nuclear industry in the Palmetto State.
"In our area, we know the Savannah River Site is a key economic driver in the CSRA, but across the state, all legislators aren't as aware of what SRS and other nuclear businesses do to help our state. Plus, there's more to nuclear than providing stable jobs," Marra said. "For example, many people don't realize how much investment the nuclear industry makes in our education system, from kindergarten through graduate school, to ensure a solid workforce for South Carolina's future."
Speakers for the event were:
- Don Bridges, Chairman of the Board, and Jim Marra, Executive Director, CNTA
- Tom Foster, President and Project Manager, Savannah River Remediation
- Terry Michalske, Director, Savannah River National Laboratory/Savannah River Nuclear Solutions
- Steve Byrne, Chief Operating Officer, SCANA Corporation
- Steve Nesbit, Director Nuclear Policy and Support, Duke Power
- Travis Knight, University of South Carolina, Program Director, Nuclear Engineering Program and Professor
The speakers also discussed various nuclear projects they oversee, providing legislators with an update on the progress of their work and answering questions about the nuclear industry.
SC Sen. Tom Young, R-Aiken, sponsored the meeting in Columbia for those in the General Assembly.
Don Bridges, CNTA Chairman, addresses S.C. Legislators in Columbia SC, during CNTA's annual State of the Nuclear Industry in South Carolina