John Spratt: “the important inherent safety features of this reactor means that it does not depend for its safety on an alert, astute…”

“the important inherent safety features of this reactor means that it does not depend for its safety on an alert, astute operator, who is wide awake. Nor does it depend upon backup systems and a power system to supply these systems. It is passively and inherently safe by its own design. This particular system has been endorsed and supported by a number of people who believe that nuclear power still has a role to play in this country. One of those is Duke Power Co., which is a prominent electric utility in my own district. And the head or chairman emeritus of that company, Bill Lee, wrote us all a letter, wrote the chairman of this committee a letter. I would just like to read what the chairman of that committee said. People in the utility industry, this is Bill Lee talking, who look ahead, want the improvements in nuclear power that are represented by this technology. The electric utility industry supports the light water technology for its immediate potential benefits, but most people in the industry recognize that breakthrough potential of the gas turbine modular helium reactor and belief that these breakthroughs must be pursued and that it is the proper role of our Government for our Nation's longer term energy competitiveness to underwrite them. In my opinion, it is essential that this technology be continued along with the advanced light water reactor.”