By: Glenn McCullough, Jr.

Turn on the lights, the coffee maker and the television. Power up your cell phone and your laptop. Everything we do and use requires energy; energy powers productivity, prosperity and fuels our quality of life. A one percent growth in GDP requires .4 percent increase in electricity supply. Energy provides jobs and creates new job opportunities. With five smart steps in energy policy, the U.S. can have an affordable, clean, sustainable, secure and prosperous energy future.

Step 1 – Build advanced nuclear energy plants. Nuclear energy provides 20 percent of the nation’s electricity but comprises 70 percent of our carbon-free electricity with no nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, mercury or
particulate emissions. Nuclear plants are online 91 percent of the time making nuclear the most reliable source of electricity. Nuclear energy is affordable with an average cost of around 1.9 cents per kWh. Nuclear energy is safe. The U.S. Bureau of Labor reports that it is safer to work in a nuclear power plant than in a bank. Nuclear energy is also sustainable: ample uranium supplies exist and the U.S. should begin to recycle used fuel which can power our nuclear plants for centuries. But we must close the fuel cycle – the U.S. Department of Energy should comply with the Nuclear Energy Act of 1982 and utilize the more than $24 billion paid by ratepayers to build a secure, national repository like Yucca Mountain. Nuclear energy can be an economic boon. According to one of the largest U.S. electric utility companies, building 1,000 megawatts of advanced nuclear energy provides more than twice the amount of jobs than wind and six times more jobs than solar. What’s more nuclear power plant employees earn high average salaries – yet another reason 74 percent of Americans favor nuclear energy.

Step 2- Implement clean coal technologies. What oil is to Saudi Arabia coal is to the U.S.: it is our most abundant energy source, and we have a 250 year supply. Today, coal fuels nearly 50 percent of U.S. electricity. New environmental control technologies block the emissions of up to 99 percent of nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, mercury and particulate matter.

Additionally, carbon dioxide emissions can be captured for use in enhanced oil recovery to access ”stranded” domestic oil pockets reported to be as large as four times the proven U.S. oil reserves. New technologies are
making U.S. coal power work for cleaner air and affordable, sustainable energy.

Step 3- Deploy the SmartGrid. Knowledge is power. A SmartGrid will provide real-time information enabling the consumer to use electricity wisely for energy efficiency and to improve air and environmental quality. By making the electric grid more efficient, the SmartGrid will increase reliability, maintain affordability, and reinforce our global competitiveness.

Step 4- Accelerate electric transportation. Transportation consumes more than 65 percent of the crude oil used in the U.S. Reducing our dependence on crude oil is good for the environment and will enhance the nation’s energy security. Progress in developing batteries for electric cars and trucks makes electric transportation a win for energy security, the environment and economy.

Step 5- Promote sustainable energy. Each state can and should decide which sustainable fuel sources are viable to provide value. A federally mandated “one size fits all” or renewables only approach would be counterproductive. For example, Southwest states have abundant solar power which can be harnessed for electricity generation. Midwestern states have wind. Southeastern states are blessed with biomass. River and coastal states can harness hydropower. Renewable energy is sustainable energy only where it
makes good economic sense for the consumer.

There are additional steps we can take – greater energy efficiency measures, supergrid transmission technology and local energy networks. But by implementing these five first steps, Americans can have the energy, clean environment and economic growth for a brighter future.

Glenn L. McCullough Jr. is a former Chairman of the Tennessee Valley Authority, former Mayor or Tupelo, Miss. and current Chairman of Advance Mississippi, an energy policy organization.

London, 2 June, 2010

Meridian Power appoints Glenn L. McCullough Jr. as Chairman of its US biomass business.

Meridian Power today announced that Glenn L. McCullough Jr. has agreed to act as Chairman of its biomass businesses in the United States.

Meridian Power’s CEO, Marco Dell’Aquila, commented:

“Glenn is a highly regarded professional with a distinguished career in the power sector and Meridian Power is delighted that he joined us to build a significant biomass business in the US.

Biomass power generation is an important but often overlooked source of clean and locally “grown” power. It helps to stimulate the creation and maintenance of long term jobs. Biomass power generation is green, economically viable and produces power 24/7.”

Glenn L. McCullough Jr. said:

“I am delighted to join Meridian Power in order to accelerate its efforts to build a large-scale biomass business in the Southeastern United States. Biomass power generation provides long term security to local timber businesses.”

Meridian Power plans to develop several 100-150MW large-scale biomass fired power plants in the Southeastern United States, each with a total consumption of over one million tons a year.

The company has chosen the State of Mississippi for its first power plant, due to the abundance of biomass in the State.

About Meridian Power

Meridian Power was established to confront the twin challenge of climate change and energy security. With a core team of seasoned international energy professionals, the company is developing renewable and clean conventional power projects.

Based in London, the company is rapidly increasing its presence in the US market with the development of a series of large-scale biomass fired power plants located in close proximity to the fuel supply.

About Glenn L. McCullough Jr

President George W. Bush named Glenn L. McCullough, Jr., Chairman of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Board of Directors on July 19, 2001. He served as Chairman of the TVA until 2005.

Under his leadership, TVA, the nation’s largest public power utility, achieved record performance. Revenue in 2005 exceeded $7.5 Billion on sales of 166 billion KWh’s with TVA’s electric power rates ranking among the lowest in the nation.

During 1999-2005, Glenn served as a member of the National Advisory Board of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and as a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI). He served on the Executive Committee of the Board of the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and as a director of the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO).

Currently, Glenn is Chairman of Advance Mississippi, serves on the Advisory Council of the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), Palo Alto, California, is a member of the Board of Directors of the Mississippi Technology Alliance, and is a member of the Board of Directors for Community Bank of Northeast, Mississippi.

Glenn has 14 years in private business as vice president of McCullough Steel Products, Inc., five years on the staff of former Mississippi Governor Kirk Fordice, and two years as Mayor of the City of Tupelo, Mississippi.

Glenn is married to the former Laura Annette White. Glenn and Laura have two sons.

Ends.

For more information, please contact:

Laura Hartmann

T: +44 20 7795 6585

E: L.Hartmann@meridian-power.com

By Kim Gallaspy

Glenn McCullough, Jr. is chairman of Advance Mississippi, a coalition of community, business and academic leaders working to develop superior energy policies that will foster economic growth in Mississippi. A former mayor of Tupelo, McCullough served as chairman of the Tennessee Valley Authority Board of Directors and spent 14 years in private business as vice president of McCullough Steel Products, Inc. In this issue, Pointe Innovation spends a few minutes with Glenn McCullough, Jr.

P.I.: How did you become involved in Advance Mississippi?
Advance Mississippi was organized last summer around the belief that sound energy policy is fundamental to having the clean energy required to power economic growth. It’s a mission I believe in so I’m pleased to serve with our growing membership of leaders from business, industry, economic development, education, agriculture and individuals who are united in advocating sound energy policy for economic growth in Mississippi.

P.I.: How is Mississippi doing in balancing smart energy policy and the desire for a clean environment?
Mississippi is making exciting progress implementing sound energy policy for economic growth and a cleaner environment. The Public Service Commission’s approval of a 178 megawatt uprate for Grand Gulf Nuclear Power Plant and the Gulf Liquefied Natural Gas facility in Jackson County are two examples of
sound energy policy that will power economic growth with cleaner air and water.

P.I.: Can our country have both clean energy and a strong economy?
Through enacting sound energy policy, Mississippi and the U.S. can have the energy required to power economic growth and cleaner air and water. Building new nuclear plants, adopting new technologies such as Integrated Gasification of Lignite coal with carbon capture for enhanced oil recovery as well as biomass generation are all advantages Mississippi can utilize in the future. Electric vehicles and SmartGrids are technologies that will play important roles in the future of energy efficiency and a cleaner environment.

P.I.: What is ahead for Advance Mississippi?
Advance Mississippi’s work has just begun. Our membership is growing. Activities like hosting Dr. Patrick Moore’s recent visit to Jackson are educational and interesting. Dr. Moore was a co-founder of Greenpeace and is now a leading advocate of safe, clean nuclear energy. Advance Mississippi will continue to work with the Mississippi Technology Alliance and others to promote sound energy policy.

P.I.: What is the best advice you ever received and who gave it to you?
“Do right, do your best, treat other people as you’d like to be treated,” wise advice given by Lou Holtz.

P.I.: What is the last book you read?
I just finished reading, Stranger in the Outfield, a book I recommend written by Norris V. “Piggie” Caldwell, a talented Mississippi author, friend and champion little league coach.