[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 95 (Tuesday, June 4, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S3942]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                  Nomination of Christopher T. Hanson

  Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, I rise today in support of Christopher T. 
Hanson's nomination to serve an additional 5-year term as a member of 
the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which he has chaired for several 
years.
  I want to begin by saying a few words about this pivotal moment for 
clean nuclear energy in the United States of America.
  Carbon-free nuclear power plays a critical and growing role in our 
electricity grid and is indispensable in our ongoing efforts to address 
the climate crisis and strengthen our Nation's energy security.
  As many of our colleagues know, including the Presiding Officer, who 
is a Member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, nuclear 
energy has become the largest source of reliable clean energy in the 
United States of America--the largest--providing about 20 percent of 
our Nation's electricity--but listen to this--and nearly half of our 
clean power.
  The Biden administration is taking strong steps to ensure that 
nuclear energy can continue to be deployed both safely and efficiently. 
For example, just last week, the White House announced a new 
administration-wide effort to bolster the domestic nuclear energy 
industry by further harnessing American ingenuity and cutting-edge 
technologies.
  The Nuclear Regulatory Commission also plays a vital role in 
facilitating the deployment of clean nuclear energy by protecting the 
safety of our existing nuclear facilities, while also ensuring that new 
sources of clean nuclear power meet the same rigorous standards for 
safety.
  It is up to us, and it is up to us in Congress--the House and the 
Senate--to ensure that the Commission has both the strong leadership 
and the resources necessary for the 21st century.
  That is why I am working closely with our ranking member, Shelly 
Capito of West Virginia, and other Members of our Environment and 
Public Works Committee to draft legislation known as the ADVANCE Act.
  If signed into law, this legislation will provide the Commission the 
tools, the resources, and the workforce that it needs to safely usher 
in the future of nuclear energy in our country.
  At this crucial moment for new nuclear technologies and our climate, 
the Nuclear Regulatory Commission also needs a full slate of 
Commissioners in order for this plan to succeed.
  President Biden has nominated a chair, its current Chair Hanson, to 
serve another 5-year term on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
  He has skillfully led the Nuclear Regulatory Commission during his 
tenure as Chair for the last 4 years. Under his leadership, the 
Commission has undertaken significant efforts to modernize the Agency 
while dealing with constrained resources.
  He has gone above and beyond to engage both the industry and our 
public, and he has advanced our efforts to slow climate change by 
leading the Commission to establish a regulatory framework for the safe 
licensing and operation of new carbon-free technologies. I have no 
doubt that if he is reconfirmed, Chair Hanson will extend his track 
record well into a second term and beyond.
  Last month, the Environment and Public Works Committee advanced his 
nomination out of committee with broad, bipartisan support, and I hope 
to see Chair Hanson reconfirmed with broad bipartisan support, again 
today.
  Senator Capito and I urge our colleagues to join us in supporting 
Chair Hanson's nomination so that he can continue serving our Nation 
with skill and dedication.
  With that, I am going to ask unanimous consent that the scheduled 
vote occur immediately.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.