WASHINGTON, DC, Feb. 5, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, made a major energy policy speech today at the Nuclear Energy Institute. Painting a grim picture of "The United States Without Nuclear Power," Alexander outlined policy prescriptions to keep nuclear energy a vital element of a diverse U.S. energy portfolio. Following is a statement from Alex Flint, the Nuclear Energy Institute's senior vice president for governmental affairs.
"Senator Alexander hit it out of the park today. His clarion call for policies to ensure that America can continue to depend on reliable, carbon-free nuclear energy comes at a perfect time. As well as any leader has done in years, the senator effectively made the point that there is a lot at stake, and that the energy decisions we make today will shape our nation's future for generations to come.
"Senator Alexander brings a fresh, broad perspective to energy policy and an understanding of the need for a strong role for nuclear energy. By examining the impacts of energy policies in other major economy countries—Germany, Japan and the United Arab Emirates—Alexander reminded us all that U.S. energy policy needs to develop with an eye on, and a willingness to learn from, the policies of other countries.
"The senator also recognizes that, because the energy economy is so massive and it takes years to build energy production and distribution assets, U.S. energy policy has to be thought about in decades-long increments. Short-sighted policies can result in large increases in energy costs, emissions and energy insecurity.
"NEI particularly welcomes the senator's commitment to a serious year-long examination of these issues: the need for second relicensing of existing nuclear plants that provide more than 60 percent of America's carbon-free electricity; the ability to build new plants; and the need to implement a viable used nuclear fuel management program.
"Senator Alexander has a pragmatic understanding of the need for a robust, diverse energy infrastructure with a portfolio of generation technologies. As chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, his experience and broad-based knowledge of energy policy will benefit Tennessee and the nation as he continues his leadership of these issues. We appreciate his vision and look forward to working with him."
The Nuclear Energy Institute is the nuclear energy industry's policy organization. This news release and additional information about nuclear energy are available at www.nei.org.