Help Wanted: The Power Engineering Pipeline and its Role in the American Nuclear Industry Presented by Brooke Buikema

Outline Introduction to power engineering Current arguments for nuclear power and political attention Issues facing expansion of nuclear industry and proposed solutions Recommendations Conclusions

Power Engineering Generation, transmission, and distribution of electric power Employed in industrial facilities, residential or commerical buildings, and power plants Involvement of all engineering concentrations

Power Engineers in the Nuclear Industry

Known Advantages of Nuclear Power Cost-effective Best large-scale source with low carbon dioxide emissions Creates secure job opportunities and economic benefits for local communities

Source: University of Wisconsin Carbon Impact of Nuclear Energy Comparable to Renewables (tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per gigawatt-hour)

Creating Secure Jobs & Economic Benefits for Local Communities Construction = 1,400–1,800 workers per reactor Daily Operation = 12,400–21,700 full-time employees (plus additional contractor employment for outages) Skilled workers earn $65,000-$85,000 per year Salaries of nuclear engineers are among highest of all engineering disciplines Source: Nuclear Energy Institute

2004 study of four counties surrounding Indian Point Nuclear Plant (NY) 30 years of operation $760+ million economic impact Creating Secure Jobs & Economic Benefits for Local Communities Source: Nuclear Energy Institute

Wisconsin Representative Frank Lasee Electronic newsletter May 13 th, 2008 “The Chinese are building one nuclear plant a year in each of the next 20 years. They understand that to grow their economy, their country needs to grow energy supplies as well. The lower the cost, the better for the economy. The better for the majority of their citizens.” Recent Attention from Policymakers

“It defies common sense to ignore nuclear power as a reliable solution to addressing climate change, as it already plays a commanding role in the cutting of greenhouse gases.” Michigan Representative Fred Upton Testimony on Capitol Hill January 30 th, 2008

Arizona Senator John McCain, Republican Presidential Nominee Speech given on June 19 th, 2008 Recent Attention from Policymakers “If I am elected president, I will set this nation on a course to building 45 new reactors by the year 2030, with the ultimate goal of 100 new plants to power the homes and factories and cities of America.”

Issues Facing the American Nuclear Power Industry 1.An aging workforce 2.An aging infrastructure and a grid nearing its capacity 3.A weakened student pipeline

An Aging Workforce 46% of power engineers could retire by 2012 Nearly half of nuclear industry employees are age 47 or older Mentorship opportunities are decreasing

An Aging Infrastructure Restore and innovate existing technologies Increase capacity to transport electricity from renewable, remotely located sources Development and integration of high performance transmission technologies

A Weakened Student Pipeline Recent decline in faculty with power engineering background Carnegie Mellon University81 University of Missouri-Columbia80 Less faculty members = Less power engineering electives offered = Less knowledge, interest, and career awareness

What’s Being Done? K-12 Involvement and Recruitment Future for Kids Partnership Boys and Girls Clubs Career compatibility tests Mentors and job shadow opportunities Recruitment and scholarships for high school students

Two-year nuclear plant maintenance degree –Curriculum development –Scholarship at local community college –Co-op position within plant What’s Being Done? Community Colleges & Universities Efforts being made to retain and reinvigorate power engineering programs and electives

Recommendations for… the Government 1.Amendment to the America Competes Act 2.Increased grants for power engineering students and faculty members 3.Tax incentives for companies with active workforce development programs

Recommendations for… Colleges & Universities 1.Hire engineering faculty with backgrounds in power 2.Offer power engineering electives to students of all concentrations 3.Explore, encourage, and facilitate the retention of faculty

Recommendations for… the Industry 1.Seek partnerships from local community –Community programs for K-12 kids –Scholarships for high school students –Two-year specialty trade degrees –Internships and co-op employment

Conclusions Innovation in electric technologies Impact local economies Increase American competitiveness