I again want to thank Senator Cardin because his State has a lot at stake here as well.

The events that struck Japan are reminders that we are all vulnerable to unexpected disasters, whether an act of nature or a terrorist attack.

Using diesel fluids for hydraulic fracturing in shale is subject to the Safe Drinking Water Act. It would be required to get a permit.

I cannot imagine a future for the United States that does not include nuclear power to create electricity.

But nothing, nothing is more important than the health of our children and risking their health is an unacceptable price under any condition.

Thank you so much for being here and for testifying today.

I think the Commission, when you are re-licensing, have to look at this as if it is a new opportunity.

I think I asked this question of Chairman Jaczko the last time he was here and I think he said, to the best of his knowledge, no one has died of radiation poisoning or sickness.

Tom Carper and I have called on the NRC to conduct a comprehensive review of all nuclear facilities in the United States.

We cannot reach a clean energy future without natural gas and without nuclear power.

In adversity lies opportunity.

We have 104 nuclear power plants. I said earlier that I thought the first one was built about 50 years ago.

Let me begin by saying my thoughts and prayers go out to all citizens of Japan, especially to the families of the thousands of disaster victims.

In the United States we have 104 nuclear power plants in 31 states, which generate approximately a fifth of our Nation's total electric consumption.

I think it was Senator Alexander who said earlier, mentioned that if you took all of the spent fuel in this country and you stacked it up on a football field it would be about 20 or 25 feet high.

I would just ask us to be as mindful and concerned about our air pollution problems that relate to fossil fuel plants as we are the potential loss of life or endangerment of health due to nuclear power plants.

if it is not perfect, make it better.

Over the years, the NRC has strived to create a 'culture of safety' in the U.S. nuclear energy industry.