tion to absolute energy independence in the electrical
energy sector which has lasted since the mid-1980s.
The significance of nuclear energy within this sector
will be examined further in the section on the Climate
Change. The potential for nuclear energy to impact
the transportation sector, and subsequently over-
all U.S. energy independence, is currently marginal,
though the outlook with respect to PHEV and EV is
promising, especially in light of the President’s recent
call for one million electric vehicles on U.S. roads by
- The potential for a much larger impact exists
should breakthroughs in complementary technology
areas occur.
Sustainability Considerations
Maintaining a U.S. electric energy sector that en-
joys absolute energy independence is sustainable in
that the U.S. possesses ample domestic fuel reserves
needed to do so and is unlikely to add additional ca-
pacity that requires foreign fuels to operate. Increasing
the percentage of clean energy sources will likely add
risk from the Energy Independence perspective, as
reliance on considerable U.S. coal reserves will abate.
Nuclear energy is the proven U.S. technology capable
of reducing this risk. The United States must ensure
that other forms of clean energy technology, such as
solar and wind, are also available from U.S. sources,
such that their increasing mix in this sector does not
threaten U.S. energy independence.
Increasing U.S. energy independence in the trans-
portation sector likely requires a paradigm shift away
from petroleum. Nuclear energy indirectly offers ap-
proaches for doing so. Second order sustainability
considerations, such as rare earth elements for per-