NEWS RELEASE

Nuclear Industry Hails Senate Energy Panel’s OK of Price-Anderson Act, Hydrogen Project

WASHINGTON—The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee today approved the nuclear energy section of comprehensive energy legislation. Following is a statement from John Kane, the Nuclear Energy Institute’s senior vice president of governmental affairs.

“Senators Pete Domenici and Jeff Bingaman are to be applauded for their bipartisan collaboration to advance comprehensive energy legislation that strengthens U.S. energy security, fosters economic growth and enhances the nation’s environmental well-being.

“The provisions approved by the committee today with regard to nuclear energy are very important. Reauthorization of the Price-Anderson Act for 20 years and authorization of a hydrogen production cogeneration reactor at the Idaho National Laboratory are each important components supporting a diverse energy portfolio to help secure a brighter future for our nation. Together, they form a powerful package of tools to help our nation achieve greater energy security.

“Hydrogen production from an emission-free energy source like nuclear energy constitutes a multifaceted approach to achieving clean air goals throughout the energy production and consumption cycle. The non-emitting hydrogen that could be our major transportation fuel will be produced from a non-emitting energy source such as nuclear energy – truly a win-win situation.

“We also commend the committee for taking an important step on the road to new nuclear plants by reauthorizing the Price-Anderson Act for 20 years. The Price-Anderson framework for the liability coverage that nuclear power plant owners buy has consistently received bipartisan support since its inception in 1957. Price-Anderson has never cost taxpayers a dime, and is a key link in the chain of regulatory certainty that will encourage new nuclear power plant construction.

“Today’s approval of the nuclear energy provisions in the energy bill illustrates the widespread, and still growing, recognition of the value of nuclear power as a reliable, clean source of energy.”


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.