Washington, D.C. – The French Nuclear Energy Society today bestowed its Grande Medaille honor on Senate Energy & Natural Resources Chairman Pete V. Domenici during the European Nuclear conference held this week in the Palais des Congres at the Place du Chateau de Versailles in Versailles, France.

The Grande Medaille is the highest award bestowed by the French Nuclear Energy Society and is given in recognition of outstanding contributions to the nuclear energy cause. Chairman Domenici is the first American to receive the award.

Chairman Domenici made the following remarks today after receiving the award:

“In 1997, I predicted the resurgence of nuclear energy in the United States. For the past eight years, I have worked to help make that renaissance a reality. I am pleased to let you know that following the enactment of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, eight utilities have announced plans to build 13 nuclear power plants in the United States. I will continue working to help make these plans a reality.

“I would like to thank the people of France for their global leadership in the use of clean and affordable nuclear energy.  You have sustained a form of energy that I believe is vital to the economic and environmental future of the world. In doing so, you have set an example for the rest of us.

“I look forward to a global renaissance in the use of nuclear energy. No other energy provides as much economic promise to developing nations or as much hope for the global environment we share and cherish as does nuclear power.”

During the two-day conference, Chairman Domenici will meet with industry leaders and government officials from France and Japan to discuss nuclear energy matters of interest to the three countries. While in Europe, Domenici will also tour Urenco’s SP5 uranium enrichment plant at Almelo, Netherlands. Urenco has announced plans to build a similar plant in eastern New Mexico.