My name is Joe Colvin. I am the President and Chief Executive Officer for the Nuclear Energy Institute. NEI sets policy for the U.S. nuclear energy industry, including 275 member organizations with a broad spectrum of interests, including every U.S. utility that operates a nuclear power plant. NEI also counts among its members nuclear fuel cycle companies, suppliers, engineering and consulting firms, national research laboratories, manufacturers of radiopharmaceuticals, universities, labor unions and law firms.

On behalf of the Nuclear Energy Institute, I would like to commend you, Chairman Barton, Ranking Member Boucher and the members of this subcommittee for focusing your attention on the Department of Energy's responsibility to manage our nation's used nuclear fuel and the nuclear byproducts of defense activities and evaluation of the suitability of locating a geologic disposal facility at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. America's program to manage high-level radioactive waste has tremendous implications on our energy policy as well as policy for environmental protection, national security, and economic development.

Nuclear energy generates 20 percent of the nation's electricity—enough energy to supply 65 million homes. Our nation's 103 nuclear power reactors have proven to be efficient, reliable and economical. They provide stability to the nation's power grid and produce about 70 percent of our emission-free electricity. The United States has the largest commercial nuclear power program in the world, with over 100,000-megawatts of generating capacity. U.S. companies are the global leaders in the development of nuclear power technology, including advanced reactor designs being built in Asian markets.