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The Exelon Byron Nuclear Generating Stations is one of 17 nuclear reactors at 10 sites in three US states.

The California Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee convened a hearing on nuclear expansion yesterday. Right now, California gets 15 percent of its electricity from nuclear energy. The pressure is on to reduce carbon emissions while increasing electric capacity. Is the answer to build more nuclear power plants? How much will that cost? And how will the public respond?

Guests:

State Senator Alex Padilla, chairman of the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee

Jim Metropulos, Senior Advocate, Sierra Club California

Tim Leahy, Senior Advisor, Idaho National Laboratory, testified at the Senate hearing