Sens. Murkowski, Manchin commend decision on nuclear energy projects

U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) applauded the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation’s (DFC) decision to allow nuclear energy projects to apply for financing.

“Nuclear energy technology can help meet the world’s clean energy needs,” Murkowski said. “Our energy future is global, and steps like this DFC decision are crucial to meeting climate and energy leadership goals. Developing economies can better access safe, reliable, affordable, and emissions-free energy with nuclear power as an option. Lifting this prohibition will simultaneously strengthen the U.S. economy while boosting international relations and global energy security.”

Murkowski, chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, launched a Strategic Energy Initiative in July 2019 that included lifting DFC’s nuclear energy prohibition. In October 2019, Murkowski and Manchin requested the DFC take action, and last week it voted to reverse the categorical prohibition on civil nuclear. The proposed policy change now enters a 30-day comment period.

“It is more important than ever to promote job growth in the U.S. This change in policy provides further tools for U.S. companies to access what has grown to a nearly two-billion-dollar a year export industry. Increased U.S. competitiveness will allow for U.S. regulatory safeguards and environmental standards to be adopted abroad. Nuclear energy has an important role to play in achieving our clean energy future. Eliminating the prohibition is an important step in reducing global emissions as well as an investment in our economy,” Manchin, ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said.