DOMENICI INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN LEGIGLATION THAT RECOGNIZES THE ESSENTIAL ROLE OF NUCLEAR POWER

October 6, 2004
12:00 AM
Washington, D.C. – Senate Energy & Natural Resources Chairman Pete V. Domenici joined Senators Craig, Crapo, Landrieu, Graham of South Carolina, Fitzgerald, Sessions, Voinovich, Pryor, Lincoln, and Miller today in introducing a bipartisan resolution recognizing the critical role nuclear power plays in our national energy policy and urging expanded investment in America’s nuclear future. Chairman Domenici’s statement: “I am pleased to be working with this bipartisan group to address the critical role nuclear energy plays in our nation’s energy supply. America’s nuclear power reactors supply electricity for one in five homes and businesses in the United States and do so affordably, reliably and without producing any emissions. To ensure nuclear energy’s continued contribution to our economy and the protection of our environment, we must develop and build new nuclear power plants used the latest technology and safety features. “Our nation will require 40 percent more energy by 2020, requiring the use of all available energy sources – wind, solar, hydro, natural gas, coal and nuclear energy. Even the most aggressive conservation and energy efficiency programs will not satisfy all of our increasing energy needs. We will require significant additional electric generating capacity to meet this rising demand - electricity generation that is absolutely necessary to keep our economy growing. We must provide this new power while protecting our environment. “America’s nuclear power plants have posted a safety record that is unrivaled. In addition, nuclear plants produce electricity without producing harmful emissions or greenhouse gases. “This resolution recognizes nuclear energy’s important contributions to our nation, such as maintaining our energy independence and protecting our environment. We must continue to support research, development and construction of new nuclear power plants today so that nuclear energy can continue providing these benefits in the future.”