Bodman to Testify

Energy Secretary Sam Bodman is scheduled to testify before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee this morning at 10:00 a.m. U.S. EST on the FY 2006 Department of Energy Budget. Click here for the live Web cast.

UPDATE: You can find a copy of Secretary Bodman's testimony here. Here's an excerpt:

The Department also has made progress in its effort to ensure that nuclear power remains part of the nation’s fuel mix. In FY 2006, we propose to accelerate efforts to promote near-term construction of new nuclear power plant designs in the United States. We also are working internationally to develop advanced nuclear technologies to take us to the next level in terms of efficiency, reliability, and security.

The long-term viability of nuclear power requires environmentally sound management of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel generated from nuclear power plants. Therefore, the Department in the last two years has transformed the focus of our Civilian Radioactive Waste Management Program from scientific research to construction of a permanent nuclear waste repository.

For a look at the budget itself, click here.