U.S. energy head: Nuclear power rescue helps national security

Source: Reuters

The U.S. energy secretary defended his plan to reward nuclear plants with incentives against criticism it would manipulate markets by telling a congressional hearing on Thursday that a strong domestic nuclear industry boosted national security.

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One lawmaker pointed to a study by ICF Consulting that said power bills could rise $800 million to $3.2 billion annually if FERC issued Perry’s plan.

But Perry said the federal government had disregarded nuclear power for decades at a risk to national security.

“If we lose our supply chain, if we lose our intellectual chain of supply of bright scientists because we basically pushed the nuclear industry back, then we’re going to lose our role as a leader when it comes to nuclear energy in the world,” Perry said. That in turn could hurt the country’s ability to address nuclear nonproliferation, Perry said.

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Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-energy-perry/u-s-energy-head-nuclear-power-rescue-helps-national-security-idUSKBN1CH2W4