As a Naval Academy graduate with a degree in Engineering, I gained an understanding of some of the many benefits and concerns regarding the use of nuclear power.  The United States has one of the safest track records with nuclear power, with some of our nation’s very best and brightest working in this field.  I support efforts to expand our use of nuclear power and develop the next generation of nuclear technologies.  If we are to meet our nation’s projected energy needs in 2030 and address global climate change, we must make serious investments in new nuclear power. To promote further investment and development of our nuclear technologies, I introduced The Clean Energy Act of 2009 with Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN).

A nuclear power plant has not been built in the United States in thirty years. Growing the nuclear industry will take time and affirmative leadership from our political leaders.  We face numerous obstacles including how to safely dispose of nuclear waste and the limitations that exist in education, the workforce, manufacturing, and transmission grid.  However, these challenges can be overcome with a clear national energy strategy and the right policies.

In light of these challenges, I have supported legislation authorizing $38.5 billion in loan guarantees for nuclear reactors, new coal-based power generation and industrial gasification activities that incorporate carbon capture and sequestration, and renewable energy and efficiency projects.

My original legislation, The Clean Energy Act of 2009, would dedicate $20 billion to fund nuclear and clean energy technology development through a series of loan guarantees; nuclear education and workforce training assistance; research into nuclear reactor lifetime-extension; and the development of advanced solar power, biofuels, vehicle battery technologies, clean coal, and technologies to mitigate nuclear waste. The legislation also creates a framework to bring novel innovative nuclear reactor designs from concept into the market place.

This expansion of nuclear and alternative energies is do-able, reasonable in scope and cost, will go a very long way toward our eventual goal of dramatically reduced carbon dioxide emissions, and as a result, will be beneficial to our economy, to our national health, and to our international position.