The Tennessee Valley Authority's plan to produce tritium at two commercial nuclear plants near Chattanooga and Spring City is a controversial matter and continues to generate a variety of opinions. This is a very sensitive issue and was recommended by former President Clinton and former Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson. The Clinton Administration did not believe that this violated the proposed treaty banning nuclear proliferation.

While I openly opposed the Watts Bar option for tritium production supported by the Clinton Administration, this decision was made by former Secretary Richardson. I met with him at Watts Bar, which is in the 4th Congressional District represented by Van Hilleary, and strongly discouraged the decision.

Like the Clinton Administration, the Bush Administration is committed to maintaining our nuclear deterrent. To do that we need to modernize our weapons and make sure our stockpile is safe. Oak Ridge and TVA have played a significant and historic role in fulfilling this mission and providing for our national security.

I agree with the Bush Administration that we need to maintain our nuclear deterrent. In light of the events that occurred on September 11th, it is now more important than ever that our weapons are modernized and we make sure our stockpile of tritium, plutonium, and uranium is safe.