John Barrow: “Mr. Chairman, as Congress works to expand domestic energy production alternatives, one area of renewed focus is nuclear…”

“Mr. Chairman, as Congress works to expand domestic energy production alternatives, one area of renewed focus is nuclear power production. For those of us who support nuclear energy, it is essential that there be adequate oversight and independent research to make sure that nuclear technology is safe and sustainable. For the past 50 years, Mr. Chairman, that independent research has been the primary objective of Savannah River Ecology Lab. In fact, the ecology lab was founded to give the public confidence that the Energy Department's works at Savannah River Site would not sacrifice public safety or the environment. That work continues today. In fact, the lab is the only lab in the Nation funded by the Department of Energy that conducts independent research into the long-term effects of low-level radiation and nuclear energy production. Unfortunately, the Department of Energy doesn't seem to want independent oversight, and they have zeroed out the $4 million in funding for the lab. It seems to me that $4 million a year is a small price to pay to make sure that the ongoing work at the SRS, and nuclear energy production in general, is being done in a manner that promotes public safety and protects our land, our air, and our waterways.”