John Rice Carter: “I thank the gentleman for yielding. America used to be the leader in nuclear energy. It should be one of the key parts…”

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. America used to be the leader in nuclear energy. It should be one of the key parts of our energy security and the awe of the globe. However, we have allowed it to deteriorate and for other countries to take the lead on the global stage. Instead, Russia and China are building a larger and larger presence in global nuclear power. Together, the two account for nearly 70 percent of reactors under construction or being planned worldwide. The United States cannot stand by and allow China and Russia to be the standard bearers of nuclear energy. Just imagine the nuclear proliferation implications, let alone the economic ones. Don't be fooled. This is just another way for China and Russia to exert influence and manipulate countries around the globe. We have seen it with the Belt and Road Initiative, and with nuclear plants, this means decades and decades of developing countries tied to China. Thankfully, this doesn't have to be the case. We can have a new American nuclear renaissance. This bill, the Atomic Energy Advancement Act, will provide important steps to do so. We have proved that in the State of Georgia with the two newest reactors built in this country in over 30 years.…”