Altmire Works To Ensure Western Pennsylvania Will Have Lead Role In Developing Nuclear Energy

Press Release

U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-04) has taken action to ensure that western Pennsylvania will continue to play a lead role in the development of nuclear energy. As the House debated the FY 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Act, Altmire spoke on the House floor to clarify that the lion's share of funding in the bill for the Nuclear Power 2010 Program is intended to go to a project being led by Westinghouse Electric Company, a firm headquartered in western Pennsylvania, because it is the only company which continues to meet the program's requirements.

"Western Pennsylvania is a long-time leader in the development of nuclear energy," Altmire said. "I am proud that the Nuclear 2010 Program will help Westinghouse continue to play a lead role in the development of the next generation of nuclear power plants. I believe that by investing in the development of nuclear power, we can both boost western Pennsylvania's economy and help to lower energy costs for American families."

The Nuclear Power 2010 Program is designed to spur the construction of new nuclear power plants by helping fund company's design costs and government applications to construct and operate these facilities. This program has benefitted western Pennsylvania over the last few years by helping Westinghouse meet the regulatory requirements for standardizing and licensing the latest nuclear power plant designs for their AP-1000 reactor.

"The Nuclear Power 2010 public-private partnership has been a model cost-shared program and has helped Westinghouse to clear the regulatory and licensing hurdles to bring the AP-1000 to the domestic market," said Jeanne Lopatto, Vice President, Government and International Affairs at Westinghouse. "As a result of the nuclear renaissance, Westinghouse has hired more than 4,000 new employees, including 1,400 in 2008, and the company projects to hire at least an additional 750 per year for the foreseeable future."

The Nuclear Power 2010 Program is about to enter its final year of operation and would receive $71 million in the FY 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations bill, which the House passed today. Congressman Altmire spoke on the House floor Wednesday to clarify that it is Congress' intent that the majority of this funding should go to advance the development of the Westinghouse AP-1000 Reactor, because this is the only project that currently fully meets the program's requirements. By clarifying Westinghouse will continue to benefit from the Nuclear Power 2010 Program, Altmire is helping to ensure western Pennsylvania will continue to play a lead role in developing America's alternative energy economy.

Source