[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 128 (Saturday, August 4, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1768]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 2272, AMERICA COMPETES ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2007

  Mr. KUCINICH, Mr. Speaker, there is much to be excited about in H.R. 
2272, the America COMPETES Act, a bill that endeavors to maintain 
America's preeminence in math and science. It doubles funding for the 
National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy's Office of 
Science, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the 
Manufacturing Extension Partnership. It establishes a number of 
initiatives to encourage diversity in energy choices and participation. 
It also establishes a new Advanced Research Projects Agency for Energy, 
ARPA-E, to overcome the long-term and high-risk technological barriers 
in the development of energy technologies.
  However, the directive of ARPA-E explicitly includes provisions for 
the advancement of nuclear energy. The perils of nuclear energy are 
numerous. Indeed, in March 2002, workers at the Davis Besse nuclear 
power plant discovered a deep cavity in the head of the nuclear 
reactor, leaving only a thin stainless steel lining. Experts have 
concluded that if the hole were not discovered, the reactor could have 
ruptured within the next year of operation. Furthermore, the lack of a 
long-term solution to dispose of nuclear waste necessitates that we 
dump tons of highly toxic waste on several generations to came. 
Finally, the economics of nuclear power requires billions of dollars in 
Federal subsidies, which would be far better spent on development of 
truly renewable energy technologies.
  For these reasons, I voted against H.R. 2272, the America COMPETES 
Act.

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