[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 87 (Thursday, June 21, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H3438]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     NUCLEAR ENGINEERING EDUCATION

  (Mr. KNOLLENBERG asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge support for H.R. 
2126, the Department of Energy University Nuclear Science and 
Engineering Act, which was introduced by the gentlewoman from Illinois 
(Mrs. Biggert), and I am proud to be an original cosponsor.
  The crisis in California has awakened our Nation to the lack of 
energy supply that confronts us. Nuclear power currently provides 20 
percent of America's electricity. Interestingly, it provides 30 percent 
of California's electricity; and it is an obvious answer, I believe, to 
our energy needs.
  The nuclear science and engineering programs in our universities are 
crucial to this research in that they provide the critical foundation 
for our nuclear industry.

                              {time}  1830

  Currently support for nuclear science and engineering programs is at 
a 35-year low. H.R. 2126 authorizes a critical investment of roughly 
$240 million over 5 years from the Department of Energy.
  Mr. Speaker, this modest investment will ensure that nuclear power 
will be able to meet California's needs and this Nation's demands. It 
is imperative that this crucial piece of legislation receives our 
support.

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