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119th CONGRESS
1st Session |
Designating December 2, 2025, as “World Nuclear Energy Day”.
Mr. Risch (for himself, Mr. Warner, Mr. Tillis, Mrs. Capito, Mr. Curtis, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Young, Mr. Graham, Mr. Cassidy, Mr. McCormick, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Justice, Ms. Lummis, Mr. Hagerty, Mr. Husted, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Booker, Mr. Coons, Ms. Duckworth, and Mr. King) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to
Designating December 2, 2025, as “World Nuclear Energy Day”.
Whereas, on December 2, 1942, Enrico Fermi and his team achieved a historic milestone by demonstrating the first self-sustaining, controlled nuclear chain reaction in the world at Chicago Pile–1;
Whereas, on December 2, 1957, in the State of Pennsylvania, the Shippingport Atomic Power Station began operations as the first commercial nuclear power plant in the world, dedicated exclusively to peaceful applications;
Whereas nuclear energy produces—
(1) nearly 18 percent of the electricity generated in the United States; and
(2) 43 percent of the carbon-free electricity generated in the United States;
Whereas the nuclear sector of the United States—
(1) directly employs more than 70,000 people in high-quality jobs that last for decades; and
(2) is responsible for more than 180,000 secondary jobs;
Whereas, for every 100 nuclear power plant jobs, another 250 jobs are created in the United States;
Whereas nuclear energy plays a key role in the national security of the United States, as the United States has the largest nuclear-powered Navy in the world, which is supported by—
(1) the commercial nuclear energy industry in the United States; and
(2) a shared nuclear supply chain;
Whereas advanced nuclear technologies are vital to powering space exploration;
Whereas nuclear energy promotes grid security and reliability by being one of the least expensive sources of baseload power generation worldwide;
Whereas nuclear power plants are largely resilient to adverse weather events, providing electricity 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to distressed areas when other sources of electricity shut down;
Whereas nuclear energy contributes an estimated $63,800,000,000 per year to the gross domestic product of the United States;
Whereas a strong civilian nuclear sector is essential to United States leadership in global energy diplomacy, which allows the United States to influence and promote the peaceful use of nuclear technologies; and
Whereas the United States collaborates with other countries to develop new and innovative opportunities for nuclear technologies: Now, therefore, be it
(1) designates December 2, 2025, as “World Nuclear Energy Day”;
(2) celebrates the contributions of nuclear energy in advancing clean, reliable, and sustainable power generation worldwide;
(3) honors the scientists, engineers, and innovators who have worked toward harnessing the potential of nuclear technology for the betterment of humanity;
(4) commends the global community for its commitment to the safe and responsible utilization of nuclear energy; and
(5) encourages continued cooperation domestically and abroad in research, development, and implementation of nuclear energy technologies.