Mr. Chairman, members of the subcommittee, I am Marvin Fertel, Senior Vice President of the Nuclear Energy Institute. I am pleased to have this opportunity to testify on the prospects for nuclear energy in the United States, and the policy initiatives necessary to ensure that our nation derives the greatest possible benefit from nuclear energy. Those policy initiatives include renewal of the Price-Anderson Act, and federal government support for nuclear energy research and development (R&D).

The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) is the U.S. nuclear energy industry’s Washington-based policy organization. NEI represents 270 members with a broad spectrum of interests, including every U.S. electric company that operates a nuclear power plant. NEI’s membership also includes nuclear fuel cycle companies, suppliers, engineering and consulting firms, national research laboratories, manufacturers of radiopharmaceuticals, universities, law firms and labor unions.

The nuclear energy industry commends you, Mr. Chairman, and the members of this subcommittee, for devoting this hearing to a discussion of the value of nuclear energy. Today, America’s 103 nuclear power plants are the safest, most efficient and most reliable in the world. Nuclear energy is the second largest source of electricity in the United States, and the nation’s largest source of emission-free electricity generation. The industry last year reached record levels of safety, reliability, efficiency and output. In our view, increasing nuclear energy’s contribution to U.S. electricity supply is not an option. It is essential to sustain economic growth, meet the electricity needs of our growing population, and satisfy our nation’s clean air and environmental goals.