[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 87 (Tuesday, June 2, 2015)]
[House]
[Page H3648]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CELEBRATING THE TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY'S WATTS BAR NUCLEAR FACILITY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn) for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, on June 1, 1796, Tennessee became the 
16th member of these United States. For some 200 years, Tennessee has 
been a part of the innovative vanguard that makes this country great, 
whether it be through culture, science, or even our fabulous barbecue.
  Last week, I had the opportunity to tour the latest energy innovation 
the State of Tennessee has to offer--the Tennessee Valley Authority's 
Watts Bar Nuclear facility. With the construction of Watts Bar Unit 2 
now approximately 98 percent complete, TVA will soon mark the 21st 
century's first new American nuclear unit to come online. And I am so 
pleased, Mr. Speaker, that today The Hill newspaper has an article 
about this very facility.
  The project is indeed to be celebrated. It is a model of safety and 
quality. The dedicated TVA employees at Watts Bar have put in a million 
hours of work without a lost-time accident. At the same time, they have 
maintained a quality acceptance rate above 97 percent. That also should 
be celebrated. Together with Watts Bar Unit 1, the complete facility 
will be able to power 1.3 million homes in the Tennessee Valley.
  Mr. Speaker, America must pursue an all-of-the-above energy policy 
that includes nuclear. Nuclear is a clean, responsible option and one 
that strengthens our Nation's energy security grid. Unfortunately, 
though, the EPA, the Obama administration, has proposed sweeping 
regulations that wage a war on coal while also dismissing the benefits 
and the power of nuclear energy.
  Under the EPA's Clean Power Plan, Tennessee is actually penalized for 
taking a leading role in providing the region and the country with a 
clean and reliable source of energy. When drafting the Clean Power 
Plan, the EPA counted the Watts Bar Unit 2 as being completed and 
operating at 90 percent efficiency.

                              {time}  1030

  It is not online yet, it is not complete, and it is not yet helping 
to power homes and businesses.
  As a result, Tennessee's emission targets under this rule are more 
difficult to reach because the State is not able to count the emission 
reductions from this cleaner plant towards its required cuts.
  Rather than recognizing TVA's forward-looking work to construct Watts 
Bar 2, EPA unfairly, and significantly, increased the emission 
reduction rate for Tennessee.
  I was sent to Congress to ensure that the needs of my constituents 
are represented here in Washington. As the vice chair of the House 
Energy and Commerce Committee, I will continue my efforts to stop the 
EPA from its overreach and to stop them from implementing this 
administration's special interest agenda, which has no regard for the 
economic impact or energy needs of the people of Tennessee.
  Mr. Speaker, this is important, and I want to thank the TVA team for 
showing me the Watts Bar facility and for allowing me to have a 
remarkable visit, and I encourage them in their continued good work.

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