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ask.heather@mail.house.gov
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In Washington DC
442 Cannon House
Office Building
Washington, DC
20515
202-225-6316 Phone
202-225-4975 Fax |
In Albuquerque
20 First Plaza NW
Suite 603
Albuquerque, NM
87102
505-346-6781 Phone
505-346-6723 Fax |  |
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Congresswoman Heather Wilson, First Congressional District of New Mexico
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| Wilson: Nuclear Power Must be Addressed in Any National Energy Policy that Congress Crafts |
March 27, 2001 |
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Wilson: Nuclear Power Must be Addressed in Any National Energy Policy that Congress Crafts
Washington, DC–During a hearing today in the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality to discuss the current utilization of nuclear energy for electric generation and, the role of nuclear energy in a comprehensive national energy policy, Congresswoman Heather Wilson called on America to take a second look at nuclear power. Congresswoman Wilson also had the privilege of introducing Senator Pete Domenici who testified before the committee on the need to consider nuclear power as an important piece of a comprehensive national energy policy. The following is Congresswoman Wilson’s opening statement from today’s hearing:
“Thank you Mr. Chairman for holding this very important hearing on nuclear power and its impact on our nation.
“There are 104 nuclear plants operating in the United States, providing some 20% of our electric power while keeping our air clean. Over the last decade, power produced by nuclear plants has increased by 30% -- roughly equivalent to building 23 new power plants – while, by every measure, safety has improved markedly during the same period.
“The cost to produce nuclear power is less than 2 cents per kilowatt-hour compared with coal at 2.08 cents per kilowatt-hour and natural gas at 3.52 cents.
“Yet, with demand for electricity growing every year, no new nuclear plants are projected to come on line by 2020 and nuclear power is projected to decline to only 11% of the nation’s electricity generation by 2020.
“But things are changing.
“Since the incident at Three Mile Island, expanding reliance on nuclear power has been a non-starter in America. It`s been in the ‘too hard’ column. In the context of rolling black outs, high prices, growing demand for power and continued concern for environmental protection and global warming, America is taking a second look at nuclear power. And we should.
Assessing Risks
“On this committee we are often seeking to balance competing interests -- in this case, the need to protect the environment and public health with the need to make sure America`s energy needs are met.
“We are trying to craft an energy policy for America that will reduce dependence on foreign oil, make sure adequate power is available at a reasonable price, protect the public health, promote conservation and minimize impact on the environment.
“Every source of energy presents risks and benefits. Where there are risks, we have a responsibility to mitigate them – whether by investing in research on clean coal technology or improving the safety designs of nuclear reactors.
Research and New Designs
“One of the barriers to increasing nuclear power capacity is the capital cost of plants, which is higher than natural gas and coal. But there is some indication that this may change with new reactor designs. South Africa’s state-owned utility, with foreign investment – including by U.S. firms – is building a demonstration project of small modular design (110 megawatt) reactors that incorporates passive safety features and very high efficiency. The capital cost is estimated to be about $1000 per kilowatt compared with $1730 per kilowatt for advanced passive reactor designs. This would make the capital cost of a nuclear plant competitive with $1020 to 1220 per kilowatt for coal-fired units.
“Research in new designs and improved efficiencies can change the economics of nuclear power.
Honing our Technological Edge
“Most of the technologies we see in nuclear plants around the world were developed in America, through the Navy nuclear program or for the commercial nuclear power industry. America lost its technological edge in nuclear power and we need to regain it.
“Our energy portfolio must include nuclear power and nuclear power must be addressed in any national energy policy that Congress crafts.
“It`s time to take nuclear energy out of the ‘too hard’ column.”
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