[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 185 (Thursday, December 12, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6989-S6990]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                  Nomination of Matthew James Marzano

  Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, before we vote this afternoon, I want to 
rise to express my strong support for the nomination of Matthew James 
Marzano to serve as a member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
  Today there is a critical need for nuclear power in our country and 
in the world.
  This carbon-free energy source is essential to ensuring the 
reliability of our electricity grid and to continuing our work to 
significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  I have said on this Senate floor before, but it bears repeating: 
Nuclear energy has become the largest source of reliable clean energy 
in the United States.
  I will say that again.
  Nuclear energy has become the largest source of reliable clean energy 
in the United States, providing about 20 percent of our Nation's 
electricity--but get this--nearly half of our clean power. Nearly half. 
As it turns out, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission plays an important 
role in facilitating the deployment of safe and clean nuclear power.
  Most American citizens never heard of the Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission. Every one of them have an interest in making sure that we 
address this climate crisis that we face as a nation, as a planet. 
Everybody here wants to make sure that the electricity, when we turn on 
the lights, that it works and that the prices that we pay for that are 
affordable.
  The Nuclear Regulatory Commission helps on those fronts. But a really 
big thing that they do is to make sure that the energy that is created 
through nuclear sources is safe and something that we can go to bed at 
night and not have to worry about causing calamity or disaster in this 
country.
  That is a big reason why it is critical that we, in this body, 
confirm Matthew Marzano to be a member of the Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission. They have five seats. One of those seats is vacant, and we 
need to fill that fifth and the last remaining vacancy on the 
Commission.
  Let me take a moment to discuss why Matt is uniquely qualified for 
this position. To put it simply, no other Commissioner has the distinct 
and valuable set of credentials that Matt possesses. He has extensive 
technical expertise. He has gained over the course a series of 
positions in the nuclear industry, including as a nuclear engineer. He 
has run a nuclear power plant control room and has overseen safety, 
operations, and maintenance personnel onsite. He has trained with 
sailors--I say this as a retired Navy captain, proudly I say this. He 
has trained sailors for service aboard our Navy's nuclear ships, one of 
which I was on last week: the USS Delaware. And he has actually worked 
on the safety systems of a new reactor that is under construction.
  Most recently, Matt has applied his background as a nuclear engineer 
through his role as a member of my staff--our staff--on the Senate 
Environment and Public Works Committee. Matt worked tirelessly with me, 
Senator Capito, and her team--our team--to move the ADVANCE Act--her 
legislation, she led us on this--but it was our legislation to 
accelerate the deployment of nuclear energy safely and to move that 
legislation through the Senate, through the Congress, and to the 
President's desk.
  In my view, no one--no one--is in a better position to help implement 
the ADVANCE Act legislation that we passed here overwhelmingly--no one 
better prepared than Matt Marzano. And no one else on the Nuclear 
Regulatory Commission possesses his combination of, on the one hand, a 
deep expertise and, on the other hand, relevant experience.
  Matt is pragmatic. Matt is hard-working. He is thoughtful, and he is 
kind. He believes, as I do, in working across the aisle to find common 
ground. He is a dedicated public servant of the American people.
  It is no surprise that his nomination has won the support of a number 
of key organizations involved, as we attempt to bring about a new 
nuclear era. They include the Nuclear Innovation Alliance, Third Way, 
the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers,

[[Page S6990]]

Good Energy Collective, American Nuclear Society, Fusion Industry 
Association, and General Atomics.
  In conclusion, if Matt Marzano is confirmed--and I hope he will be--
the Nuclear Regulatory Commission will be fully empowered to make sure 
that we seize the day with respect to this crucial moment for the 
future of nuclear energy for our country.
  I urge our colleagues to join me in confirming Matthew James Marzano 
as a member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
  With that, I yield the floor.