Tennessee Valley Authority President and CEO Tom Kilgore spoke at the 2012 American Nuclear Society Utility Working Conference Monday morning.
TVA leaders tweeted some of the event using the handle @TVA_Newsroom.
Kilgore touted the benefits of nuclear energy, according to the TVA Twitter feed.
He said that one nuclear facility can generate 700 permanent jobs and drives $470 million in goods and services annually. One nuclear facility can yield $83 million in federal, state and local taxes annually, he also said.
"Nuclear is the right way forward for our nation," Kilgore said.
In April, TVA suffered a setback when leaders announced they weren't going to make the timetable or budget originally set for Watts Barr Nuclear Unit 2.
TVA leaders asked for an additional $2 billion to finish the project. They also extended their work schedule, which was originally set to be complete this year, through 2015.
TVA's Integrated Resource Plan includes a balanced and diverse portfolio.
The goal is to have three equal 30 percent parts of nuclear, coal and gas, with hydro to supplement the last 10 percent.
