Celebrating the Tennessee Valley's Watts Bar Nuclear Facility

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, on June 1, 1796, Tennessee became the 16th member of these United States. For some 200 years, Tennessee has been a part of the innovative vanguard that makes this country great, whether it be through culture, science, or even our fabulous barbecue.

Last week, I had the opportunity to tour the latest energy innovation the State of Tennessee has to offer--the Tennessee Valley Authority's Watts Bar Nuclear facility. With the construction of Watts Bar Unit 2 now approximately 98 percent complete, TVA will soon mark the 21st century's first new American nuclear unit to come online. And I am so pleased, Mr. Speaker, that today The Hill newspaper has an article about this very facility.

The project is indeed to be celebrated. It is a model of safety and quality. The dedicated TVA employees at Watts Bar have put in a million hours of work without a lost-time accident. At the same time, they have maintained a quality acceptance rate above 97 percent. That also should be celebrated. Together with Watts Bar Unit 1, the complete facility will be able to power 1.3 million homes in the Tennessee Valley.

Mr. Speaker, America must pursue an all-of-the-above energy policy that includes nuclear. Nuclear is a clean, responsible option and one that strengthens our Nation's energy security grid. Unfortunately, though, the EPA, the Obama administration, has proposed sweeping regulations that wage a war on coal while also dismissing the benefits and the power of nuclear energy.

Under the EPA's Clean Power Plan, Tennessee is actually penalized for taking a leading role in providing the region and the country with a clean and reliable source of energy. When drafting the Clean Power Plan, the EPA counted the Watts Bar Unit 2 as being completed and operating at 90 percent efficiency.

It is not online yet, it is not complete, and it is not yet helping to power homes and businesses.

As a result, Tennessee's emission targets under this rule are more difficult to reach because the State is not able to count the emission reductions from this cleaner plant towards its required cuts.

Rather than recognizing TVA's forward-looking work to construct Watts Bar 2, EPA unfairly, and significantly, increased the emission reduction rate for Tennessee.

I was sent to Congress to ensure that the needs of my constituents are represented here in Washington. As the vice chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, I will continue my efforts to stop the EPA from its overreach and to stop them from implementing this administration's special interest agenda, which has no regard for the economic impact or energy needs of the people of Tennessee.

Mr. Speaker, this is important, and I want to thank the TVA team for showing me the Watts Bar facility and for allowing me to have a remarkable visit, and I encourage them in their continued good work.

Source