Chairman Barton, Ranking Member Hall and members of the subcommittee, my name is Ralph Beedle. I am the chief nuclear officer and senior vice president at the Nuclear Energy Institute. NEI is the policy-setting organization for the U.S. nuclear energy industry. We represent more than 275 members worldwide, including every U.S. electric utility that operates a nuclear power plant, as well as suppliers, nuclear fuel cycle companies, engineering and consulting firms, radiopharmaceutical laboratories, universities, and labor unions.

Nuclear power plants produce nearly 20 percent of the nation's electricity and provide the largest source of emission-free energy in the United States. This energy source must be sustained to meet the energy, economic and environmental protection demands of the 21st century.

The U.S. nuclear energy industry has built a solid record of safe, efficient performance at the nation's 103 nuclear power reactors, making it the global leader in advanced nuclear power technology.

The industry's continued commitment to safe nuclear plant operation must be accompanied by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's ability to fulfill its mission as a strong, credible regulator. As electric utilities continue the transition to a competitive electricity market, the NRC must improve its efficiency and the effectiveness of its regulations.

In the past year, the NRC commissioners and staff have taken the initial steps toward meaningful regulatory reform. The industry applauds the NRC commissioners and staff in demonstrating that difficult issues can be resolved and important decisions made in an efficient and timely manner.