Designating December 2, 2024, as "World Nuclear Energy Day".
Energy
senate
Introduced on December 2, 2024 by Mark R. Warner
Cosponsors
Legislation Details
- Designates December 2, 2024, as “World Nuclear Energy Day.”
- Commemorates the historic achievement of the first self-sustaining controlled nuclear chain reaction on December 2, 1942.
- Recognizes the operation of the first commercial nuclear power plant, Shippingport Atomic Power Station, on December 2, 1957.
- Notes that nuclear energy accounts for nearly 20% of U.S. electricity generation and nearly half of carbon-free electricity.
- Highlights the nuclear sector’s employment of nearly 70,000 people in long-term, high-quality jobs, with over 250,000 secondary jobs created.
- States that for every 100 jobs in nuclear power plants, an additional 66 jobs are generated in local communities.
- Emphasizes the role of nuclear energy in U.S. national security, supporting the largest nuclear-powered Navy and a shared nuclear supply chain.
- Acknowledges the importance of advanced nuclear technologies for space exploration.
- Points out that nuclear energy enhances grid security and reliability as a cost-effective source of baseload power.
- Mentions the resilience of nuclear power plants to adverse weather, providing continuous electricity supply.
- Estimates that nuclear energy contributes approximately $60 billion annually to the U.S. GDP.
- Affirms the necessity of a strong civilian nuclear sector for U.S. leadership in global energy diplomacy and the promotion of peaceful nuclear technology use.
- Encourages ongoing domestic and international collaboration in nuclear energy research, development, and implementation.
Last updated 12/12/2024