Our country needs nuclear power – the jobs, the energy security, and the environmental benefits it provides. I like to tell people, nuclear is a three-fer: without it, we will not be able to provide the reliable, base-load electricity our country demands
– Edited by Mark McFadden –
U.S. Senator George V. Voinovich (R-OH) issued a statement after President Obama’s announcement of a nuclear loan guarantee for the construction and operation of two new nuclear reactors in Georgia. These nuclear plants would be the first nuclear power plants to break ground on U.S. soil in nearly three decades:
“Although loan guarantees alone will not sustain the nuclear renaissance, I believe this is an essential step. My colleagues and I created this loan guarantee program back in 2005 to promote clean, advanced energy sources. Although the Department of Energy has been slow to act, I am hopeful that this is the beginning of a series of actions that will create the momentum necessary for bringing the nuclear renaissance to fruition.
“Our country needs nuclear power – the jobs, the energy security, and the environmental benefits it provides. I like to tell people, nuclear is a three-fer: without it, we will not be able to provide the reliable, base-load electricity our country demands. Without it, we will not be able to reach our goal of reducing carbon emissions. And without it, we will be missing a great opportunity to strengthen our manufacturing base and create good paying jobs.
“Given these tough economic times – the United States needs these nuclear manufacturing jobs and I look forward to hearing more about what President Obama will do for nuclear energy and jobs. Ohio is ready to play a leading role in the nuclear renaissance and to generate valuable jobs – we are waiting.”
As both chairman and ranking member on the Clean Air and Nuclear Safety Subcommittee Sen. Voinovich has been working to shape nuclear energy policy in the United States for the past decade. He has held a number of nuclear energy roundtables with representatives from organized labor, industry, academia, professional societies and government agencies to discuss the huge opportunity nuclear energy provides for the expansion of manufacturing and creation of jobs in Ohio.
Sen. Voinovich continues to believe that nuclear power is one of the strongest alternatives we have today to produce the low-cost, reliable, clean energy our nation needs. And, at a time when we are struggling to regain our economic footing, Ohio’s manufacturing industry has an incredible opportunity when it comes to nuclear energy. Nuclear energy offers thousands of well-paying jobs in all stages of development and production.