The Daily Caller - Safe And Effective Clean Energy Is Already Here

Op-Ed

By Senator Tim Scott and Jay Faison

When the federal government creates energy policy, it should do so with three things in mind: keeping costs low for American families, ensuring our energy independence, and protecting our national security. One source of clean energy has already proven safe, effective, and reliable across the country -- nuclear energy.

While under the Obama Administration the United States' leadership in nuclear energy, security, and technology is waning, together conservatives can reinvigorate the industry and reaffirm America's global influence. The U.S. has been the world's leader in nuclear production, innovation and safety since the 1950s. Today, nuclear is the source of 20 percent of our electricity and 60 percent of our emission-free energy production.

New innovators in the field have captured the imagination of the business world, and even Bill Gates has placed a bet on next-generation designs in the sector. Moreover, the U.S. is the gold standard for nuclear safety. Many nations follow and adapt their regulations after our own. America has always provided the best nuclear energy expertise and technology -- and just as important, it has come with stringent nonproliferation controls. A strong U.S. nuclear industry means peace of mind around global nuclear security.

The problem is our nuclear industry is rapidly approaching a cliff, facing a large reduction in capacity and international influence. Five reactors have been shut down over the last four years. Ten more, representing 10 gigawatts of generating capacity -- enough to power 7 million homes -- face closure in the next five years. At the same time only four new reactors, two in South Carolina and two in Georgia, are under construction in the United States -- the first in over 30 years -- with no additional development planned.

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