Nuclear Power Presents Opportunities for the New Administration ...or Straightening the Nuclear Regulatory Mess the Democrats Made.

Uranium (Nuclear Minerals) / Nuclear Power - Economics, Design, & Industry

Date posted: 04/14/17

Judd Gregg opines that when opportunity comes knocking, you would presume that the new administration would move quickly to take it, a team who clearly relishes taking advantage of opportunities. Well, nuclear power has a pretty loud knock. Whether the goal is to create jobs, or to make America energy independent, or to do large infrastructure construction projects, or to maintain and expand our strategic advantage in the world, or to grow our economy ..... nuclear power fits the bill. The U.S. created the civilian nuclear industry and has led the way in its development for decades. Gregg says that we should continue to maintain the largest fleet of nuclear power plants in the world with the best technology and safety records. But American dominance is being challenged by China and Russia. Both of those countries are investing enormous sums in the construction of new facilities and, more importantly, new technologies to gain a competitive advantage over the U.S. Unless there is a commitment to maintaining a first-rate fleet here at home, in tandem with efforts to promote U.S. technology abroad, these countries will fill the void. This would be an unnecessary loss of a significant economic and strategic advantage. A strong nuclear fleet reduces our dependence on foreign countries for energy. At the same time, it enhances our national security standing around the world. Countries that are seeking to improve their own electricity facilities, and which are not blessed with our abundance of natural resources like natural gas, are going to turn somewhere for assistance. We should not accept them turning toward Beijing or Moscow. They should be turning toward American manufacturers and technicians. Because of the longevity of these facilities, from planning through operation, the nuclear industry creates relationships that can last for decades. This can pay large political and economic dividends. The regulations we have today are too onerous and need to be fixed.