Mr. Chairman, Senator Bingaman, and Members of the Committee it is a pleasure to be here to discuss the Department of Energy’s Nuclear Power 2010 program.

For most of our nation’s history, America’s vibrant economy and society have benefited from the abundant energy options we have had available. Even though we have increased our oil imports in recent decades, most of the energy used in the United States – including energy for home heating and electricity -- is produced domestically. Our coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear, and renewable resources all contribute to a diversified and reliable energy picture.

However, we are entering a new era in energy supply. As highlighted in the President’s National Energy Policy, forecasts indicate that our need for energy—even with ambitious energy efficiency measures across all sectors of the economy—will continue to grow as our economy grows. The Energy Information Administration forecasts that by 2025, the United States will import 68% of its energy for transportation uses and 38% of its total energy supply. Most notably, the U.S. will experience an increasing dependence on imported natural gas, which is increasingly important for generating electricity. Increased natural gas imports will require us to expand our capacity to accept shipments of liquefied natural gas.

Providing adequate and reliable supplies of electricity, while reducing emissions and meeting the other challenges, will require the development and application of advanced technologies. New technology can help us to exploit renewable energy sources when they are practical, and enable coal – which generates more U.S. electricity than any other fuel– to continue as a viable, long-term element of our energy supply. In addition, the President made it clear in his State of the Union address that we must also consider new nuclear power plants as part of our long-term energy picture.