This testimony regarding consideration of Assembly Bill 555 by the Wisconsin State Assembly Committee on Energy and Utilities is submitted by the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), the Washington, D.C.-based policy organization for the nuclear energy industry, on behalf of more than 250 corporate and other members engaged in the beneficial use of nuclear technologies. These companies represent a broad spectrum of interests, including every U.S. energy company that operates a nuclear power plant. NEI’s members also include nuclear fuel cycle companies, suppliers, engineering and consulting firms, national research laboratories, manufacturers of radiopharmaceuticals, labor unions, law firms and 57 universities, including the University of Wisconsin.

NEI commends the Wisconsin State Assembly for its consideration of AB 555, legislation to end the moratorium on new nuclear plant construction in the state. The industry applauds Rep. Mike Huebsch and others for pursuing this important legislation to allow companies the option to build new nuclear power plants in Wisconsin to meet future electricity demand. Nuclear power is a clean, reliable and affordable source of electricity today for Wisconsin consumers and it should be one of the options for meeting the state’s future electricity needs.

The purpose of this testimony for the Committee is threefold:

1. recognizing nuclear energy’s value to Wisconsin and our nation
2. addressing nuclear energy’s importance in meeting our future energy needs
3. discussing the value of preserving a diverse portfolio of energy options for Wisconsin companies in the future.