I would like to congratulate the Department of Energy on issuing the first conditional loan guarantee for front-end nuclear facilities to enhance U.S. capacity to enrich uranium. Enhancing this capacity is critical to the nation's energy and national security, and these facilities will create thousands of American jobs at a time when good-paying jobs are sorely needed
– Edited by Mark McFadden –
U.S. Senator George V. Voinovich (R-OH), a member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), last week issued a statement on the Department of Energy’s (DOE) first conditional commitment for a front-end nuclear facility. The $2 billion loan guarantee has been awarded to AREVA’s Eagle Rock Enrichment Facility near Idaho Falls, Idaho, which will enrich uranium for U.S. nuclear power plants.
“I would like to congratulate the Department of Energy on issuing the first conditional loan guarantee for front-end nuclear facilities to enhance U.S. capacity to enrich uranium. Enhancing this capacity is critical to the nation's energy and national security, and these facilities will create thousands of American jobs at a time when good-paying jobs are sorely needed.”
Building these facilities represents an important step in developing a nuclear renaissance in the United States. New nuclear plants could begin to come on line as early as 2016, and these plants will need a steady, reliable source of uranium. Front-end nuclear facilities can make low-enriched uranium that will be used to fuel the nation’s 104 nuclear power plants, which currently supply 20 percent of the United States’ electricity. The electricity from these plants is a highly reliable and clean energy that helps us meet our goals for reducing our carbon emissions.
“While this loan guarantee is an important first step, we must continue to enhance our capacity for enriching uranium,” Sen. Voinovich continued. “I strongly encourage DOE to continue to work aggressively with the other applicants for guarantee loan funding so we can spur nuclear development, create quality American jobs and enhance our energy security.”
As a former chairman and ranking member, and current EPW Clean Air and Nuclear Safety Subcommittee member, Sen. Voinovich is committed to the safe and secure growth of nuclear power. The senator believes that without nuclear power we will not be able to reach our goal of reducing carbon emissions or provide the base-load electricity our growing country demands – and we will miss an amazing opportunity to strengthen our U.S. manufacturing base and create good paying jobs.
At a time when we are struggling to regain our economic footing, the domestic manufacturing industry has an incredible opportunity when it comes to nuclear energy, which offers thousands of well-paying jobs in all stages of development and production. Sen. Voinovich, along with Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE), recently led a bipartisan congressional letter to President Obama requesting that the White House join them in hosting a nuclear energy summit to bring together key leaders, stakeholders and innovators to discuss and plan for America’s nuclear energy future.