NEWS RELEASE

NEI Urges Senate Passage of Energy Policy Act

WASHINGTON—Nuclear Energy Institute President and Chief Executive Officer Joe F. Colvin issued the following statement today on S. 14, the Energy Policy Act of 2003.

“Nuclear power plants operating in 31 states provide electricity to one of every five U.S. homes and businesses, and do so affordably, efficiently and without emissions.

“Given these benefits, it is appropriate for national energy policy to support investment in new nuclear plants. On June 10th, the Senate took an important step forward for a secure U.S. energy future by approving provisions that support deployment of new nuclear power plants. Senators went on record saying that, amid many other steps being taken to assure that Americans can benefit from a diversified electricity mix, the federal government appropriately should stimulate construction in the first of the new advanced-design nuclear power plants that are needed to meet rising electricity demands.

“While the nuclear energy industry is encouraged that the Senate supports an expanded role for nuclear energy in the nation’s energy future, the reality is we need more electricity from a host of energy sources – including wind, solar, clean coal- and natural gas-fired power plants. We therefore encourage the Senate to complete its deliberations expeditiously on comprehensive energy legislation. Let’s advance this legislation to conference with the House of Representatives and enact energy policy that gives Americans the energy security they expect and deserve.”


The Nuclear Energy Institute is the nuclear energy industry’s policy organization. This news release and additional information about nuclear energy are available on NEI’s Internet site at http://www.nei.org.