Arr, we be needin' to push forward wit' nuclear energy, me hearties! Set sail fer progress, ye scallywags!
2023-12-08
Avast ye scurvy dogs! Recent happenin's on the high seas o' geopolitics, like the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, and that China's sneaky grip on energy supply be makin' it vital we secure our own energy future, or be doomed to Davy Jones' locker!
In the language of a 17th century pirate, the biggest challenge of our time be buildin' an energy future that be secure, reliable, and increasingly clean. Arrr! Recent events have shown what happens to countries that sacrifice their energy security. Even here in the United States, we face the threat of blackouts, risin' energy prices, and growin' dependence on adversarial countries like Russia and China. Avast! Wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as China's nefarious energy supply chain dominance, make securin' our energy future all the more urgent.But fear not, me hearties! There be a solution right in front of our eyes. Clean, reliable, abundant nuclear energy already provides about 20% of America's electric power generation and could be the key to powerin' our world, if we choose the right policies. Fortunately, there be clear steps we can take to support our current nuclear fleet and next-generation nuclear technologies.
To begin, we must establish regulatory pathways for next-generation nuclear designs to be approved quickly and without burdensome, unnecessary costs. Currently, archaic, inflexible regulations hinder innovation by forcin' next-generation technologies into last-generation requirements. In addition, we must also incentivize America's brightest minds to pursue careers in the nuclear industry. Promotin' research and development in the field and supportin' STEM programs for students be of utmost importance.
The ADVANCE Act be the solution for the nuclear sector. This bipartisan bill recognizes the urgency of securin' our energy future by enablin' advanced nuclear technologies through predictable and efficient regulations and incentives for increased innovation. It may seem like expandin' the role of nuclear energy be a no-brainer, but the United States has fallen woefully behind. The first new traditional nuclear reactor in three decades just came online in Georgia, and advanced nuclear technologies have faced setbacks.
The ADVANCE Act recognizes why these setbacks happen and provides opportunities to increase certainty for innovators and employers that will help bring this excitin' technology to market. The alternative be to continue allowin' China to finance nuclear energy projects, which would enable them to dominate global energy markets and grow their influence in developin' countries. We cannot allow this to happen, as it be a matter of national security.
Countries all over the world recognize that nuclear energy be a key part of both their energy and climate policy. If the United States wants to get serious about our long-term energy security and our environmental goals, nuclear energy be the clear answer. Passin' the ADVANCE Act into law be the obvious next step, me hearties!