Washington, D.C. – The Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission told the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee today that, as of last week, 16 utility companies had serious plans to build 25 new nuclear power plants. “Some have announced their plans. Some have only partially announced their plans but haven’t chosen the technology,” he said. “This is no longer a flash in the pan. Industry is very serious. They are doing the work and investing the resources.” 

Witnesses at the hearing testified that the nuclear power provisions in the energy bill – the loan guarantees, production tax credit, stand-by support insurance and reauthorization of Price Anderson – have triggered the nuclear energy revival in America which the committee had intended to spark.

James Asselstine, managing director of Lehman Brothers, testified that the nuclear industry does not need a final resolution on the spent nuclear fuel issue to go forward with new nuclear power plants.

Chairman Domenici issued the following statement after the hearing:

“The testimony today affirmed what I have observed in a year of meetings with industry. We are indeed in the early days of a nuclear power renaissance in this country. I am pleased to see utilities moving forward with their plans for new plants while we on Capitol Hill continue to work on the matter of spent fuel.

“I remain committed to integrating GNEP and Yucca. I intend to fully-fund GNEP and find even more money for the program if I can. In the meantime, I am working to help DOE get Yucca back on track. I’m delighted by the momentum in this country toward new nuclear power. This is something I have been working toward for more than a decade.”

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