DOE TO TAP ALL POSSIBLE RESOURCES TO ASSURE NATIONAL ENERGY SECURITY

Photo: WHY NOT NUCLEAR: Energy family officials led by DOE Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi (center) with Mr. Michael Shellenberger at the successful conclusion of yesterday’s TED Talk on nuclear power.   Also in photo (left to right) are DOE Undersecretary and NEPIO Chair Donato D. Marcos, Mr. Mark Cojuangco, DOE Senior Undersecretary Jesus Cristino P. Posadas, Assistant Secretary Gerardo D. Erguiza, Jr., and PNOC President and CEO Admiral Reuben S. Lista (ret).

TAGUIG CITY – Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi yesterday (23 January) underscored the need to tap all available energy resources to assure the country’s energy security amidst ever growing demand during the DOE-hosted TED Talk of policy expert Mr. Michael Shellenberger on “Why We Need Nuclear Energy”. 

“We are technology neutral, because we want to explore all possible ways to bring affordable, secure and reliable power to Filipinos throughout the entire archipelago. I believe this is time for us to take a leap and include nuclear power into our energy mix. We wouldn’t want to wait until we are all crying for power before we actually do something,” Sec. Cusi emphasized in his opening remarks. 

He also expressed that Mr. Shellenberger’s views helped shed light on common misconceptions about nuclear power as he expounded on how a country like the Philippines would benefit from harnessing this energy source. 

During Mr. Shellenberger’s compelling presentation, he stressed that while facts point to nuclear energy as the future of safe and reliable electricity production, the decision for the country to go nuclear must be made as a people. 

The talk was made possible by the DOE – Nuclear Energy Program Implementing Organization, which has been actively evaluating the feasibility of developing a national nuclear power program. 

The TED Talk was attended by members of the energy family, representatives from other government agencies, members of the academe and media.