Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017

Floor Speech

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Mr. KEATING. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer an amendment with the gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Welch), a champion of these issues.

Our amendment is simple and straightforward. It seeks to provide adequate resources for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in order to ensure the safe and effective decommissioning of nuclear power plants.

Last year Entergy Corporation, the owner and operator of the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant in Plymouth, Massachusetts, after facing severe losses in revenue and plagued by serious safety concerns, announced that the plant would be decommissioned by 2019.

Since coming to Congress, I have been concerned about the safety of Pilgrim's day-to-day operations as well as the security of its spent fuel storage.

Following Entergy's announcement, I have worked with State and local representatives from southeastern Massachusetts to prioritize the safety of the decommissioning process, security of the plant's spent fuel, and displacement of over 600 workers employed at this site.

Just this week, attention has focused on the NRC's recent report that revealed that the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station came up short yet again during an investigation of their follow-through on critical systems maintenance.

While this infraction ultimately falls on the responsibility of Entergy, it is equally important that the NRC has the necessary resources to address concerns as they arise, including through cooperation with local communities.

As we have often cited, decommissioning of nuclear power plants has an enormous economic and financial impact on host communities. We have urged that decommissioning funds be used strictly for removal of spent fuel from wet storage to dry cask storage, restoration and remediation of the site, and maintenance of emergency preparedness and security resources throughout the entire process.

Finally, it is my hope that the NRC prioritizes workforce development opportunities. As the number of decommissioned plants increases, so, too, will thousands of high-skilled, well-paying jobs.

I thank my colleagues for their consideration of this amendment and urge their support.

I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Welch).

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Mr. KEATING. I also want to thank Chairman Simpson and Ranking Member Kaptur for their consideration of the amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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