WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, today led a hearing to consider the nomination of Christopher Hanson to serve as a member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
HIGHLIGHTS:
ON THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING HIGH SAFETY STANDARDS WHILE DEPLOYING CLEAN NUCLEAR ENERGY:
Chairman Tom Carper:
“It is imperative that the Commission carefully review the many new nuclear plant designs that companies, entrepreneurs and the U.S. Government are bringing forward. And at the same time, the Commission must ensure that existing reactors can continue to operate safely – in many cases well past their original design life.”
Chair Chris Hanson:
“If confirmed by the Senate, I pledge to continue leading the agency and tackling the challenges ahead for both the existing fleet of reactors and next-generation nuclear technologies, while upholding the agency’s critical safety and security mission.”
ON CHAIR HANSON’S WORK TO PREPARE THE NRC FOR THE 21ST CENTURY:
Chairman Carper:
“Under Chair Hanson’s leadership, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has undertaken significant efforts to modernize the agency while dealing with constrained resources. He has skillfully led the Commission’s development of policies to prepare for new technologies. That includes, for example, the Commission’s work to establish a new regulatory framework for the safe licensing and operation of the next generation of nuclear reactors as well as fusion energy systems. Through initiatives like this one, the Commission is improving efficiency while maintaining high standards for safety.”
ON THE ADVANCE ACT:
Chairman Carper:
“It’s up to us in Congress, and particularly in this Committee, to ensure that the Commission has the right leadership and resources it needs for the 21st Century. And that is why I’ve been working for years now with Ranking Member Senator Shelley Moore Capito and others on the Committee to pass our ADVANCE Act … I believe the ADVANCE Act will provide the Commission with the tools, the resources and workforce that it needs in order to usher in the future of nuclear energy.”
Chair Hanson:
“Mr. Chairman … thank you for your leadership, and Senator Capito for her leadership, Sen. Whitehouse and others who have really come together and put together what I think is a very beneficial piece of legislation that can be very beneficial to the agency going forward.”
ON SUPPORTING CHRIS HANSON:
Chairman Carper:
“[T]he Nuclear Regulatory Commission is most effective when it has a full slate of commissioners who can carry out its critically important mission — to protect the safety of our nuclear facilities and maintain public trust while facilitating the safe deployment of clean nuclear energy. I believe that Chair Hanson is the right person for the job at this time, and I hope to work with members of this Committee — including our Ranking Member — to move his nomination through the confirmation process.”
Click here to watch Chairman Carper’s questions.
Click here to watch Chairman Carper’s opening statement.
