NEWS RELEASE

Nuclear Energy Industry Hails Senate Approval Of Historic Energy Bill Conference Report

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Senate today approved the joint Senate-House conference report on H.R. 6, the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Following is a statement from Skip Bowman, the Nuclear Energy Institute’s president and chief executive officer.

“Today is an historic day. After years of effort to pass a meaningful energy bill for this country, we have just that – a meaningful energy bill. By joining the House in approving the energy bill conference report, the United States Senate has set our nation on a path toward a brighter, cleaner, stronger, more prosperous and more secure future.

“Our country’s people, our children and our children’s children all owe Senators Pete Domenici and Jeff Bingaman and Congressmen Joe Barton and John Dingell a debt of gratitude for the tremendous spirit of bipartisanship they have shown in guiding their Senate and House colleagues in the shaping of this important legislation. The nuclear energy industry adds its voice of thanks and appreciation to these distinguished lawmakers for the leadership they have provided over a period of many, many months in achieving bipartisan approval of this comprehensive legislative package.

“The Energy Policy Act of 2005 – with its mix of provisions supporting conservation, energy efficiency, new production and urgently needed investment in our energy infrastructure – will substantially help our nation achieve its economic, security and environmental goals.

“The legislation’s provisions supporting nuclear energy as a key component of a diverse energy portfolio are well-warranted and greatly appreciated. With more than 100 nuclear power plants operating in 31 states and providing electricity to one of every five U.S. homes and businesses, nuclear energy has long since proven its value to our nation’s energy and national security. The Energy Policy Act – through its limited government investment in new nuclear power plant construction, its authorization for research and development and other measures – correctly positions nuclear energy as a technology that can become even more vital to our nation’s energy future.”


The Nuclear Energy Institute is the nuclear energy industry’s policy organization. This news release and additional information about nuclear energy are available on NEI’s Internet site at http://www.nei.org.