Political Quotes

“Mr. President, this past Sunday a New York Times editorial entitled ``In the Wake of Fukushima'' noted: If nuclear power is to have a future in this country, Americans have to have confidence that regulators and the industry are learning the lessons of Fukushima and are taking all steps necessary to ensure safety. Following the events at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in March, it is clear that maintaining America's confidence in the safety of our nuclear reactors is paramount. The disaster at Fukushima should not lead to a freeze of the nuclear industry; instead, it should be an opportunity to upgrade the safety of our nuclear fleet. Both industry and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission assure us that currently there is no immediate threat to the operation of our nuclear plants. Nuclear power is especially important to my home State of Illinois, where nearly half of all electricity in the State is nuclear. With 11 of 104 operating nuclear power plants and stations in our State, we have more reactors than any other State in the Union. In the near term, it is my hope that nuclear regulators and the industry will take actions necessary to increase safety measures and integrate emergency operating procedures.…”