Kimberly Cook-nelson on gender diversity
From 'The Resurgence of Nuclear as a Utility Decarbonization Pathway' with Kimberly Cook-Nelson, Entergy · · Energy Central
“Being one of the few female Chief Nuclear Officers in the industry has not been an easy road, but it has been very rewarding; I hope to inspire more young women to enter and climb the ladder in this field.”
On , Kimberly Cook-nelson, Executive VP & COO at Entergy, spoke about gender diversity during 'The Resurgence of Nuclear as a Utility Decarbonization Pathway' with Kimberly Cook-Nelson, Entergy on Energy Central.
About Kimberly Cook-nelson
In a September 2023 podcast appearance, Kimberly Cook-Nelson, Executive Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer at Entergy, discussed the role of nuclear energy in utility decarbonization. She described nuclear power as "clean, carbon-free, and available 24/7/365 days a year," and said it is "paramount alongside solar, wind, and hydro for achieving our commitment to Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050." Cook-Nelson cited a Bank of America Global Research report stating that nuclear is "one of the least expensive sources of energy with the highest energy return on investment." She also noted that public support for nuclear power in the U.S. had reached its highest level since 2012, with 85 percent of adults supporting its use. Cook-Nelson emphasized the industry's safety record, stating that the nuclear industry is "heavily regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, with no deaths from routine operation." She said it is the responsibility of nuclear professionals to understand the history of incidents like Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima. Reflecting on her role as one of the few female Chief Nuclear Officers, Cook-Nelson said the path "has not been an easy road, but it has been very rewarding," and expressed hope to inspire more young women to enter the field. She also highlighted community engagement efforts by Entergy employees, including support following EF4 tornadoes in the company's service territory.