Nuclear Power Vital To Energy Future

Floor Speech

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, the recently passed budget and the upcoming climate change legislation take a direct shot at the strained budgets of South Carolina families. Under an ill-advised cap-and-tax proposal, families will see their electricity bills, gas bills and grocery bills go up.

Meanwhile, South Carolina is the leader in the production of clean, viable and safe alternative nuclear energy. For over 30 years, South Carolina has benefited with over 50 percent of electrical generation by nuclear energy.

President Obama's own Secretary of Energy, Dr. Steven Chu, agrees that nuclear energy ``is going to be an important part of our energy mix.'' Unfortunately, some in Washington still continue to ignore this proven technology.

I hope my colleagues in Congress will listen to Secretary Chu. In the meantime, South Carolina families and citizens throughout our Nation cannot afford a spike in their utility bills, their gas bills or their food budgets.

I am grateful that Santee Cooper and SCE&G are proceeding with two new reactors at Jenkinsville, South Carolina, which will produce clean energy.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

Source