NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION HEARING
ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
SUBCOMMITTEE ON CLEAN AIR,WETLANDS,PRIVATE PROPERTY AND NUCLEAR SAFETY
STATEMENT OF SENATOR BOB GRAHAM
MARCH 9, 2000

Mr. Chairman, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission(NRC) plays a vital role in shaping our nations electric energy production technology mix. Its mission of regulating the licensing and operation of commercial nuclear power reactors as well as the industrial use of nuclear materials and the transport, storage and disposal of nuclear materials and waste is critical in our efforts to operate safe and efficient nuclear power plant facilities in the US. Nuclear power plants currently generate approximately 20 percent of the nation's electric energy. Our experience with nuclear power generation since our first commercial nuclear reactors went on line in the early 1 960's shows that nuclear power electric generation in this country is an efficient, safe and clean source of electric energy. Western Europe and Japan share this view. France generates approximately 79 percent of its electricity from nuclear power; Belgium, 60 percent; Sweden, 42 percent; Switzerland, 39 percent; Spain, 37 percent; Japan, 34 percent and the United Kingdom, 21 percent.

Today the world is focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from coal, oil and gas fired power plants, and other fossil fuel fired boilers and equipment in response to concerns about global warming. Nuclear power plants produce virtually no greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, the continued use of nuclear power as a substantial component of our nations electric generation mix along with other major electric energy generating sources is a prudent course for the nation to follow. However, no new nuclear power plants have been ordered in the US since the late 1 970's. Additionally, no new nuclear plants have commenced operation since the early 1 990's. It is possible therefore that we may experience a situation in the not too distant future where a significant number of our current 103 commercial nuclear powered electric generating plants will have reached the end of their useful life with no new nuclear replacement plants coming on line. It is estimated that in a period of less than 15 years about one third of our nuclear plants may be retired. If this estimate is correct, coal, oil, or gas fired electric generating units are the most likely types of generating facilities to make up the bulk of this replacement generation capacity. Without nuclear power we will be increasing, not decreasing our greenhouse gas emissions. Concerns over global warming and our experience with the safe and efficient operation of our nuclear plants demand that we find a way to ensure an appropriate level of nuclear power generation in our nation's future electric energy technology mix.

I want to commend the NRC on its work in regulating the nuclear power industry in the U.S. and ask that it continue its ongoing efforts to ensure that the relicensing of nuclear powered generating plants is done as efficiently and rapidly as possible while remaining consistent with applicable laws, regulations and NRC requirements.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman