|
 |
 |
|
Chu: Energy Dept. in 'close contact' with Japan on nuclear crisis
Energy Secretary Steven Chu told a House panel Tuesday the department is deploying over 30 people to Japan to address the nuclear reactor crisis.
Chu, appearing before the House Appropriations Committee panel that sets Energy Department spending, said DOE and Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) officials are in “close contact” with Japanese officials.
Officials sent to Japan include a nuclear engineer who speaks Japanese and an emergency response representative deployed as part of the U.S. Agency for International Development Disaster Assistance Response Team, Chu said.
“We have sent our Aerial Measuring System capability, including detectors and analytical equipment used to provide assessments of contamination on the ground,” he added about the effort, which includes 34 people.
Chu reiterated White House comments in recent days that the administration plans to learn from the Japanese crisis but remains committed to nuclear power as a key piece of meeting the nation’s energy needs.
“The American people should have full confidence that the United States has rigorous safety regulations in place to ensure that our nuclear power is generated safely and responsibly. Information is still coming in about the events unfolding in Japan, but the administration is committed to learning from Japan’s experience as we work to continue to strengthen America’s nuclear industry,” Chu said.
Chu noted that U.S. officials have long considered the potential for events such as earthquakes and tsunamis.
He reiterated the administration’s request to add $36 billion to DOE's loan guarantee authority to help the industry finance development of the first new U.S. reactors in decades. The administration has made one commitment thus far, last year pledging an $8.3 billion guarantee to Southern Co. for two planned reactors in Georgia. But that project still must gain NRC approval to go forward.
“Nuclear energy ... has an important role to play in our energy portfolio,” Chu said, noting that the administration “believes we must rely on a diverse set of energy sources, including renewables like wind and solar, natural gas, clean coal and nuclear power.”
