[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 48 (Thursday, April 28, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 28, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        AMERICA'S ENERGY OPTION

                                 ______


                         HON. HARRIS W. FAWELL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 28, 1994

  Mr. FAWELL. Mr. Speaker, in recognition of Earth Day, I think it is 
important to remind my colleagues of the contribution nuclear energy 
makes to clean air. Nuclear energy is the second largest source of 
electricity in the United States, providing 19 percent of the Nation's 
electricity. It supplies the needs of 65 million households with 
virtually no air polluting emissions.
  Congress wisely recognized nuclear energy as an important energy 
resource with enactment of the Energy Policy Act of 1992. President 
Clinton also acknowledges nuclear energy's important role in the 
Climate Challenge Program.
  In fact, nuclear energy is responsible for reducing an astounding 92 
percent of all U.S. electric utility CO2 emissions since 1973. 
These reductions will be increasingly important as we consider building 
new electric generating capacity to fuel a growing economy.
  I can tell you firsthand about the environmental advantages of 
nuclear energy. My district gets about 70 percent of its electricity 
from nuclear powerplants. This means that when my constituents 
celebrated Earth Day this year, they breathed cleaner air thanks to 
nuclear power.
  But you need not take just my word for the environmental benefits of 
nuclear energy. The World Energy Council reports ``If global 
policymakers are serious about reducing greenhouse gases in the long-
term, nuclear power must make a comeback * * *. There is no chance of 
stabilizing greenhouse gas emissions at 1990 levels until the nuclear 
energy question is resolved.''
  Moreover, the Office of Technology Assessment says that nuclear 
energy is the only nonfossil energy option that offers the greatest 
potential for ``achieving deep cuts in carbon dioxide emissions.'' The 
National Academy of Sciences agreed that nuclear energy is ``the most 
technically feasible alternative'' to replace fossil fuels as the 
primary source of electricity.
  Mr. Speaker, in observance of Earth Day, I ask my colleagues to 
carefully consider the important role that nuclear energy plays for a 
cleaner environment. I encourage my colleagues to support policies that 
enhance America's nuclear energy option.

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