Representative Heather Wilson: “we need a balanced, long term energy policy to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, keep the lights on and preserve the…”

“we need a balanced, long term energy policy to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, keep the lights on and preserve the beauty of the land we love and I think this bill promotes this aim. This legislation is good for our environment and will create nearly 1 million new jobs. I commend Chairman Tauzin and Chairman Domenici for putting this important piece of legislation together. I want to highlight three provisions in this bill that I think are important. first, section 602 of this bill extends Price-Anderson indemnification for 20 years to 2023. Price-Anderson is a critical component of our national energy policy. Nuclear energy is a viable energy source that helps us keep our air clean and reduces our reliance on foreign sources of energy. Without extending Price-Anderson indemnification, there would be a severe negative impact on private investment in nuclear energy and nuclear related research at Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories. The Price-Anderson Act, first passed in 1957 as part of the Atomic Energy Act, has encouraged the development of the nuclear industry, while protecting the public by allowing DOE to fine its contractors for safety violations.”