Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, I appreciate your tireless efforts to craft comprehensive energy legislation and the opportunity to provide the nuclear energy industry’s perspective on this important work.

In his State of the Union speech on Feb. 2, 2005, President Bush was emphatic that the passage of comprehensive energy bill by the Congress is long overdue. He stated that it is imperative that we enact legislation that will ensure we have the energy we need to support our expanding economy now and in the future, “including safe, clean nuclear energy.”

Our economy and high standard of living depend on low-cost, reliable and safe electricity generation. We encourage Congress to take the final steps now to enact comprehensive energy legislation that benefits all Americans.

Nuclear power is a critical part of our nation’s electricity supply. America’s 103 reactors cleanly and reliably produce electricity to power one of every five U.S. homes and businesses.

The nuclear energy industry fully supported the H.R. 6 conference report of the 108th Congress that you and your members shaped over the past two years. We understand that this is the starting point for your deliberations in this new Congress, and we applaud your leadership in getting a bill through the House expeditiously.

There are three key steps that this committee can take to ensure nuclear power remains a critical part of a diverse electricity portfolio that provides future generations with clean, reliable and affordable electricity.