[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 112 (Friday, August 3, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1559]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              SECURING AMERICA'S FUTURE ENERGY ACT OF 2001

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                               speech of

                          HON. JOE KNOLLENBERG

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, August 1, 2001

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill. (H.R. 4) to 
     enhance energy conservation, research and development and to 
     provide for security and diversity in the energy supply for 
     the American people, and for other purposes.

  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Chairman, I rise to remind my colleagues of a 
critical provision of H.R. 4, the Securing America's Future Energy Act, 
which passed this House yesterday. The provision authorizes critical 
funds for our nation's nuclear engineering education programs, and is 
identical to a bill introduced by Congresswoman Judy Biggert.
  For over 50 years, the United States has been the leader in nuclear 
science and engineering. However, the energy crisis in California has 
awakened our nation to energy supply constraints. Nuclear power 
accounts for 20% of our energy supply and is the key to solving our 
energy supply needs.
  This bill authorizes $240 million over five years for university 
nuclear science and engineering programs at the Department of Energy.
  The supply of bachelor degree nuclear scientists and engineers is at 
a 35 year low, and the number of universities offering nuclear 
engineering degrees is half of what it was 20 years ago.
  Mr. Chairman, the provision we passed yesterday is a critical 
foundation for tomorrow's energy supply.

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