NEWS RELEASE

NEI Applauds Senate Passage of Energy Bill

WASHINGTON—The Nuclear Energy Institute's president and chief executive officer, Joe F. Colvin, today issued the following comments on U.S. Senate passage of major energy legislation (S. 517):

"The energy bill passed by an overwhelming vote of 88 to 11 in the Senate rightly recognizes a vital role for nuclear power in the nation's diverse mix of energy sources. Several provisions will strengthen U.S. energy security by fostering continued contributions to energy affordability and reliability from nuclear power plants, which now provide electricity to one of every five homes and businesses.

"Among the provisions that were resoundingly endorsed in the very strong, bipartisan vote for Senate passage are these: reauthorization of the time-tested Price-Anderson liability insurance act; upgrading the Energy Department's Office of Nuclear Energy director to assistant secretary status; supporting nuclear energy research and development and university nuclear science and engineering programs with a $1.2 billion authorization over five years; and clarification of decommissioning fund tax rules.

"We commend the Senate for approving energy legislation that strengthens the country's energy policy and allows nuclear power to play a proper role as part of our long-term energy strategy."


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.