Writing in the U.S. News and World Report recently, Oklahoma U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe and three others boasted of a new nuclear renaissance, stating that the “future of nuclear energy in the U.S. is bright.”
Inhofe was joined by Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, Republican Sen. Mike Crapo of Idaho and Sen. Cory Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey.
The four said there has been a groundswell of activity and investment in recent years surrounding advanced nuclear reactors.
“These technologies hold enormous promise to provide clean, safe, affordable and reliable energy, not just for our country, but for the world,” wrote the Senators. “These innovators have a vision for the future, and they charge ahead backed by more than $1 billion in private capital. The future of nuclear energy is bright.”
They pointed out that the spread of natural gas to fire electricity generators has caused the push for better nuclear technology. The new technology would also not rely on water to keep reactors cool, making them safer in the event of a natural disaster.
“Nuclear energy used to be just another partisan issue,” added the four. “Thankfully, that is changing. The four of us represent opposite ends of the political spectrum in the Senate, but we are all pulling in the same direction, backing various pieces of legislation to promote advanced nuclear innovation and development.”
