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Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-Mich.), together with Rep. John Spratt (D-S.C.), took the lead in creating a House Nuclear Issues Working Group, formalized this month as a Congressional Member Organization (which pursues common legislative interests). Nuclear Energy Insight asked him about plans for the group.

Insight: What is the role of the working group in the House?

Knollenberg: The Nuclear Issues Working Group has been an informal group of members and staff interested in nuclear technology and policy issues. We attended a few briefings on nuclear technology and in general worked to stay on top of nuclear issues and promote open discussions between offices.

This spring, Congressman John Spratt and I took the steps to formalize this group. On April 5, it was registered as a Congressional Member Organization.

The working group will foster open communications on issues involving nuclear science, technology and policy and will work to promote greater understanding of nuclear-related issues. Nuclear science plays a vital role in our economy and it is equally important that our awareness of nuclear issues is at the highest levels.

Expos, speeches, panel discussions, films and debates are all in the works. Our aim is to present all sides of nuclear issues such that informed and intelligent decisions can be made. I believe the group can also be a forum for moving bipartisan legislative approaches to nuclear issues.

Insight: Will you use the group to inform members about environmental and other benefits of nuclear energy?

Knollenberg: The larger purpose of the group is to deal with any and all things involving nuclear technology and nuclear policy. Without a doubt that cuts a wide swath involving aspects of nuclear medicine, food irradiation, space power supplies, fusion, and of course nuclear power production.

Now, the benefits, environmental and otherwise, are numerous. Nuclear power is a strong component of our overall energy mix, and most importantly an environmentally friendly component. I think it's appropriate to identify the comparison of nuclear power generation to other means of power generation.

Insight: Will you work to increase membership in the working group? Is it bipartisan?

Knollenberg: We definitely will work to increase membership. As far as I'm concerned, every member of Congress should be involved. Every congressional district features some nuclear-age technology at work: a national laboratory, a university research program, a grocery store with food that has been protected with nuclear technology, a DOE facility, a nuclear power plant, a hospital, spray-painted cars, flat-screen televisions, fluorescent lights, etc. Nuclear technology affects all of us, and we should all be involved with improving our understanding of things nuclear, especially given the often-flawed media coverage.

The group is absolutely bipartisan, and we will continue to allow each side of issues to be aired. Congressman John Spratt and I are co-chairs. We will work closely together to involve as many members and staff as possible.

Insight: The Department of Energy has requested $52 million for nuclear energy research. Would you propose a larger amount?

Knollenberg: Nuclear science has great promise, and only sufficient R&D investments will help us realize that promise. The NERI [Nuclear Energy Research Initiative] is a great start toward reinvigorating DOE's nuclear energy R&D efforts through competitive, peer-reviewed applications. The current assortment of projects represents an excellent combination of what academia, industry and government can accomplish together. Just as important are the advanced technologies being developed under the Nuclear Energy Plant Optimization (NEPO) program, which we started just this fiscal year. The $35 million requested for NERI and the $5 million for NEPO in the FY 2001 budget proposal are undoubtedly steps in the right direction. And I am encouraged by the addition of an international component into the program.

I was disappointed with the administration request of only $12 million in funding for the university assistance program. The U.S. has always been a world leader in nuclear technology, and we need to work hard to ensure that this remains the case. Just last month, we were all encouraged to learn of the approval of the Calvert Cliffs relicensing application. There are many more plants either already in the process or considering relicensing. The advances from the NEPO program will ensure that the nation's nuclear plants are operated in the safest and most reliable fashion.