Another Senator for Nuclear Power

ByRod Adams

In a recent article titled TVA joins Energy Department in nuclear recycling I found the following section worth noting:

“If we’re going to have a renewal of nuclear power, which I believe is critically important, TVA can and should play a big role in that future,” said Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, energy and natural resources subcommittee member.

The goal would be to develop a system of recycling nuclear waste that’s even better than what they’re doing in France, England, Japan and Russia today, Sessions said.

Politically, however, nuclear recycling has a history of being unpopular. In fiscal year 2008, $405 million was requested to fund GNEP, but Congress instead awarded $179.4 million to the program.

“Getting funding for nuclear renewal in America has been like pulling hen’s teeth,” said Sessions.

Since reading that passage, I have spent some time learning more about Senator Sessions. I cannot claim to be a fan, but I do think he is correct in his recognition that nuclear power is critically important.

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Rod Adams

Rod Adams is Managing Partner of Nucleation Capital, a venture fund that invests in advanced nuclear, which provides affordable access to this clean energy sector to pronuclear and impact investors. Rod, a former submarine Engineer Officer and founder of Adams Atomic Engines, Inc., which was one of the earliest advanced nuclear ventures, is an atomic energy expert with small nuclear plant operating and design experience. He has engaged in technical, strategic, political, historic and financial analysis of the nuclear industry, its technology, regulation, and policies for several decades through Atomic Insights, both as its primary blogger and as host of The Atomic Show Podcast. Please click here to subscribe to the Atomic Show RSS feed. To join Rod's pronuclear network and receive his occasional newsletter, click here.

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