Nuclear power is reemerging as the focus of considerable attention and debate in the face of concerns about climate change, energy demand growth and the persistently high fossil fuel prices.

Members of the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce Quality Council and Chattanooga Section 1101 of ASQ will hold a joint meeting on Jan. 13 to hear discussion about this timely subject.

Presenter Richard Roberts with INTECH Inc. will address the “Upsurge of the Nuclear Industry.”

“Existing nuclear generating capacity currently contributes to meeting worldwide electricity demand while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gases (GHG) that contribute to climate change,” Roberts says. “Expanding nuclear capacity is one option among many that might do so in the future.”

According to Roberts, after more than a decade in which no new nuclear power plants were completed in the United States, stakeholders are reengaging, including companies considering building new plants, analysts evaluating costs, and public interest advocates looking at safety and risks. He will discuss the current status of the upsurge in the nuclear industry, as well as the impact to the worldwide, national and local markets. He will also discuss many challenges facing the industry in making its comeback.

The presenter has over 34 years’ experience of working in and around the nuclear industry with local companies such as Combustion Engineering, Tennessee Valley Authority, Westinghouse, Babcock & Wilcox and INTECH Inc. He has also assisted many local companies with the development and operation of Quality Managements Systems for not only nuclear but a wide range of other industries. He has made many presentations associated with management system processes. Roberts is currently an adjunct instructor at Chattanooga State Technical Community College.The Jan. 13 meeting begins with dinner at 6:30 p.m. Roberts will present his program at 7 p.m. Cost for the dinner is $15. Contact Lisa Pickel at the Chamber of Commerce by calling 472-6587 or emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it by Friday, Jan. 9, for reservations. Quality Council is a program of the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce and is open to all individuals interested in promoting quality within their organization.

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