Marsha Blackburn: “On June 1, 1796, Tennessee became the 16th member of these United States. For some 200 years, Tennessee has been a part…”

“On June 1, 1796, Tennessee became the 16th member of these United States. For some 200 years, Tennessee has been a part of the innovative vanguard that makes this country great, whether it be through culture, science, or even our fabulous barbecue. Last week, I had the opportunity to tour the latest energy innovation the State of Tennessee has to offer--the Tennessee Valley Authority's Watts Bar Nuclear facility. With the construction of Watts Bar Unit 2 now approximately 98 percent complete, TVA will soon mark the 21st century's first new American nuclear unit to come online. And I am so pleased, Mr. Speaker, that today The Hill newspaper has an article about this very facility. The project is indeed to be celebrated. It is a model of safety and quality. The dedicated TVA employees at Watts Bar have put in a million hours of work without a lost-time accident. At the same time, they have maintained a quality acceptance rate above 97 percent. That also should be celebrated. Together with Watts Bar Unit 1, the complete facility will be able to power 1.3 million homes in the Tennessee Valley. Mr. Speaker, America must pursue an all-of-the-above energy policy that includes nuclear. Nuclear is a clean, responsible option and one that strengthens our Nation's energy security grid. Unfortunately, though, the EPA, the Obama administration, has proposed sweeping regulations that wage a war on coal while also dismissing the benefits and the power of nuclear energy.…”