NPP Newsletter: Nuclear Energy Caucus tackles national security issues at PA Capitol hearing

Hello everyone –

The bipartisan Nuclear Energy Caucus met at the state Capitol on Tuesday to further examine issues related to nuclear energy in Pennsylvania. Specifically, yesterday’s meeting focused on national security and resiliency. Nuclear Powers Pennsylvania was, of course, in attendance, with an information table set up just outside the hearing room in the Capitol’s East Wing.

Speakers included Edward McGinnis, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Nuclear Energy, United States Department of Energy; Paul Stockton, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Americas’ Security Affairs; and Amy Roma, Partner at Hogan Lovells and co-author of “Back from the Brink,” a paper on the relationship between the nuclear energy industry and national security.

Key takeaways include:

• Reliable energy generation is vital to the U.S. military, which relies on a steady supply of power for its operations abroad and to ensure homeland security. Nuclear power plants provide essential stability to the nation’s power grid — storing between 18 and 24 months of fuel onsite — and have unmatched physical and cybersecurity standards.
• As opposed to other more vulnerable sources, nuclear power plants are well prepared to defend against potential attacks, as detailed by Dr. Stockton. “While China, Russia and other nations are developing increasingly sophisticated cyber weapons to attack U.S. energy infrastructure, the two key components of the energy sector [nuclear power and natural gas] are taking radically different approaches to defend against that threat,” said Dr. Stockton. You can read more details about his and the other testimony here.

Nuclear Energy Caucus leaders Senator Ryan Aument, Senator John Yudichak, Representative Becky Corbin and Representative Rob Matzie closed the hearing with questions for the panelists.

Expanding on matters of energy resiliency, international politics and economic vitality, the speakers reaffirmed that nuclear energy must continue to play a lead role in ensuring our national security.

To watch the archived webcast of the hearing, click here. The next session is scheduled for Monday, October 1, so be sure to visit our Facebook page and on Twitter for a link to the livestream.

As always, we thank you for your continued interest in and support of our state’s nuclear energy industry!

-Nuclear Powers Pennsylvania