[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 153 (Monday, November 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2001]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TO SUPPORT THE NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2010

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                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 29, 2010

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
support H.R. 5866, the Nuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 
2010.
  I am proud to see this vital piece of legislation up for 
consideration under suspension of the rules today. My colleagues and I 
on the Science and Technology Committee worked tirelessly on this bill 
which amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to modify and augment 
existing nuclear research and development programs at the Department of 
Energy. This legislation is an important step in ensuring the next 
generation of affordable and safe nuclear energy.
  Our country should focus on creating environmentally safe and 
economically sustainable nuclear energy in order to reduce reliance on 
fossil-fuel resources. I was pleased the Science and Technology 
Committee included an amendment I offered during the Energy and 
Environment Subcommittee Markup on July 27th, 2010 which is now section 
13 of H.R. 5866. Section 13 calls for the Secretary of Energy to work 
with the National Academies to conduct a long-term operating study of 
our Nation's existing nuclear power plants.
  We need to know how long these facilities can last safely and what 
can be done to maintain these plants better. We should also identify 
what major impediments are threatening their long-term operational 
viability. To help transition to a low carbon economy, Congress needs 
these questions answered.
  The United States currently has 104 reactors in 31 States that 
generate approximately 20 percent of our nation's electricity. Data 
indicates that it is possible that one-third of nuclear facilities in 
our country will be retired in the next 20-25 years. Given that nuclear 
power provides approximately 20 percent of the electricity in the 
United States, this topic is of critical national concern.
  Many existing nuclear facilities in the U.S. are nearing the end of 
their initial 40-year licenses. Many of these facilities are likely to 
seek and receive license renewals for an additional 20 years. As the 
demand for low-carbon electricity grows, it is not too soon to identify 
options for these plants beyond the 60-year mark. The dearth of new 
nuclear units necessitates that our current nuclear infrastructure must 
continue to operate reliability, safely, and efficiently.
  In the U.S. there are 59 nuclear plants that have reapplied for 
licenses through the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for an additional 20 
years, taking the age of their plants from 40 to 60. The need to 
demonstrate the technical and financial feasibility of extending the 
life of nuclear facilities beyond 60 years is evident. Madam Speaker, 
the best way to lower energy costs is to identify and implement 
affordable clean energy.
  I would like to thank Chairman Bart Gordon for introducing this 
critical legislation. I urge my colleagues to support this important 
legislation in order to shed some light on the best path forward for 
our National Nuclear R&D strategy.

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