[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 112 (Wednesday, July 12, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1423]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


          ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1996

                                 ______


                               speech of

                         HON. NORMAN Y. MINETA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 11, 1995

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1905) making 
     appropriations for energy and water development for the 
     fiscal year ending September 30, 1996, and for other 
     purposes:

  Mr. MINETA. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Advanced 
Light Water Reactor program, and in opposition to the amendment by my 
friend, Mr. Obey.
  Mr. Chairman, countries around the world recognize the important role 
nuclear power must play in the production of clean, safe, economical, 
and abundant electricity. These countries continue to look to America 
for leadership in nuclear power technology, but increasingly we are 
falling short of the challenge.
  While the market for nuclear reactors is stagnant in this country, 
there is increasing demand in Asia and elsewhere. Global markets for 
United States industry are rapidly opening up in countries such as 
Japan, Taiwan, Korea, and Indonesia. The nuclear power plant market 
potential in the Pacific Rim nations during the next 15 years is 
estimated to be over $175 billion. This represents thousands of U.S. 
jobs.
  Mr. Chairman, if we refuse to continue the Advanced Light Water 
Reactor program we will be shooting ourselves in the foot. We will be 
relinquishing the fertile world market to our competitors. And we will 
cease to be a major contributor to the world's need for clean, safe, 
and low cost electricity.
  The $40 million in this legislation for the Advanced Light Water 
Reactor is very important to our domestic nuclear reactor producers. It 
will allow them to proceed with design certification and 
standardization activities--the next steps toward commercialization of 
these reactors.
  The Advanced Light Water Reactor program is a relatively small 
investment that will pay great dividends. I urge my colleagues to vote 
against the Obey amendment.


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