News & Events

May 10, 2011—U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell says NRC Commissioner William Ostendorff should be cleared by the Senate for another term.

The NRC needs the continued service of Ostendorff, who has hands-on experience with nuclear reactors, having commanded an attack submarine in the Navy, McConnell told attendees at NEI’s 2011 Nuclear Energy Assembly. He urged his colleagues on Capitol Hill to move forward with Ostendorff’s confirmation.

Ostendorff became a commissioner in April 2010 to a term that expires June 30. President Obama has nominated him for a second term.

McConnell had harsh words for the Obama administration’s energy policy, saying it is time for Washington “to stop paying lip service to the need for domestic exploration” of energy sources and take actions that support greater energy security for the nation. “If there was ever a time to increase domestic production of energy, it is right now,” he said. However, he added, “All the energy companies get from Washington is bureaucratic obstacles, red tape and higher costs.”

McConnell criticized the Obama administration and congressional Democrats for a proposal that he said would increase taxes on oil companies at a time when Americans are facing higher prices at the gasoline pump. Higher taxes on energy companies would serve only to drive energy exploration and jobs overseas, he said. McConnell also complained of “anti-energy” positions taken by the Environmental Protection Agency.

While renewable energy sources are important, McConnell said, they cannot meet U.S. energy needs alone. “Wind [energy] isn’t going to take kids to school. The sun isn’t running the blender.”

“Republicans have been offering an ‘all-of-the-above’ approach to energy for as long as I can remember,” McConnell said. “All of the above is what the American people want. It’s time for Washington to get out of the way.”

—Nuclear Energy Overview