By Susan Hess

This question was the topic of a lively discussion at the 81st LULAC National convention held in Albuquerque, N.M.  The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) invited AREVA to speak at this important annual event about clean energy, including nuclear and renewables, to help educate their members about the truths and myths of this timely topic. 

Climate change and clean energy have been of growing interest over the past several years because of its direct and indirect impact on the Latino Community, which is now the largest and fastest growing minority population in the United States. For instance, children of Latino families develop asthma at a rate 2.5 times more than other minority and Caucasian children.  


The discussion covered renewable energy options such as offshore wind, biomass and solar power as well as nuclear energy. Understandably, several in the audience did not consider nuclear energy a “clean energy” source. Our discussion centered mostly on facts and fiction about nuclear energy, recycling used nuclear fuel, and how each voter can help to rebuild the nuclear energy industry by contacting their Congressional members and encouraging them to support increased nuclear energy in the United States. 

When the session ended, everyone appreciated the discussion and the new perspectives.  One person remarked, “I thought this was about clean energy.  It was mostly about nuclear energy. If you had said nuclear in the title of the session, I would not have attended, but I did.  I learned a lot and I am glad I came.”
 

AREVA Inc. will form a Community Advisory Council (CAC) to raise greater awareness of the benefits of clean energy technology, including nuclear energy and renewables, and to build a working group of representatives from influential organizations who will informally advise the company on energy and sustainability issues. At the same time, company representatives can respond to questions and concerns about these issues.

“When it is about energy, there must be no taboo subjects. All issues, including the tricky ones, must be on the table. And when it is about nuclear energy in particular, public concerns must be taken seriously and addressed honestly. If Governments must show leadership and continuity, nuclear industry must be open to public debate. And we – AREVA – are convinced that, through genuine dialog, all legitimate concerns can be overcome,” said Laurence Pernot, vice president of communications at AREVA. “That is why we have decided to create this Council…to foster a dialog. For us, it is key and the only way to build sane relationships with our stakeholders.”

The National Associations of Neighborhoods (NAN) and Labor Council for Latin American Advancement have signed on to co-chair the Council, and several of the attending organizations have indicated desire to participate in AREVA’s’ Community Advisory Board.

As part of the work of the Council, the members will receive periodic briefings from AREVA to learn about more about upcoming technologies, business plans and company announcements, More so, we see this as an opportunity seek insight from some of the best minds and often overlooked communities on these important issues so critical to the energy debate.

The new initiative was announced a recent briefing and dinner in Washington, D.C., attended by energy, minority, consumer, environmental groups and think tanks to learn more about AREVA’s solutions for clean energy production, including nuclear energy and renewables, and its sustainability efforts. Attendees learned about AREVA technology, including our EPR reactor, used nuclear fuel recycling, and our renewable business in biopower (ADAGE), solar and offshore wind.

We were excited to have so many diverse groups in attendance, including the National Urban League, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the US Conference of Mayors, League of United Latin American Citizens, Earth Echo International, MANA: A National Latina Organization, the Democratic Governors Association, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, Center for Asian American Women, National Latino Coalition on Climate Change, the Progressive Policy Institute, the National Association of Neighborhoods, Cuban American National Council, the National Puerto Rican Coalition, National Council of Asian American Business, the U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute, Greenlining Institute, and the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

A few representatives from the organizations, such as Ricardo Byrd of the National Association of Neighborhoods and Hazel Edney from National Newspaper Publishers Association had toured several AREVA facilities in France and told the group about their visit and personal experiences. Specifically, they both commented how they both returned from the visit to these facilities with a better understanding of new nuclear technology and how they hope to dispel many common and outdated misconceptions of nuclear energy.

To learn more about AREVA, future briefings or AREVA Inc.’s Community Advisory Council please contact: Susan Hess, Director of External Relations at 301-841-1693 or susan.hess@areva.com.