OPINION:
If the United States is truly to achieve far-reaching environmental improvement goals without sacrificing affordable electricity or good-paying American jobs, we must use an all-of-the-above strategy that considers a wide spectrum of innovative clean energy technologies. Key among these is the use and advancement of nuclear energy, which is and will continue to be a critical component of our nation’s baseload power needs.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy, nuclear is the largest domestic source of clean energy in the United States, accounting for nearly half of America’s clean energy portfolio. A comprehensive domestic energy portfolio is incomplete without the deployment of nuclear technologies. Thankfully, my home state leads the nation in nuclear innovation.
Idaho is home to America’s leading nuclear energy lab, the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). For 75 years, the INL has promoted international nuclear competitiveness through research, innovation and workforce development. We must work to ensure federal policy helps empower America’s national laboratories, including INL, to stay at the cutting edge of nuclear innovation and meet our country’s energy needs. If the United States does not lead on nuclear energy, our adversaries like China and Russia will.
This summer, President Joe Biden signed into law the Accelerating Deployment of Versatile Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act. The need for this law was identified in a U.S. Department of Energy report that underscored the decline of our industrial nuclear supply capabilities threatens our national interests and security. The ADVANCE Act will implement key report recommendations to improve the nation’s nuclear infrastructure, secure America’s uranium supply chain, grow the economy, create jobs, reduce carbon emissions and strengthen national security.
Continued investment in maintaining U.S. leadership in nuclear innovation will decrease our nation’s reliance on foreign energy sources and allow the United States to provide energy security at home and abroad. This should be a bipartisan priority.
Beyond the scope of nuclear, investment in clean energy innovation must responsibly use taxpayer dollars to promote free market values and principles, not pick winners and losers based on a radical green agenda. To meet sustainability goals and boost the economy, clean energy choices must be affordable and accessible to all.
SPECIAL COVERAGE: National Clean Energy Week: Clean energy solutions for a stronger America
As we continue to grapple with world challenges and increasing energy demands, we must seek out clean energy solutions that preserve American energy independence, strengthen our national security, diversify our energy portfolio and grow the economy.
• Sen. Mike Crapo is the Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee. He also sits on the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs and Senate Budget Committees.
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