Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth) issued the following statement today to express his opposition to legislation, S-877, under consideration today by the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee:

Sen. Declan O’Scanlon expressed opposition to a nuclear subsidy bill as currently drafted, saying he hoped to work with those concerned on a better solution. (Flickr)

“While I could not attend today’s important hearing due to the flu, it felt it my duty to do the research and make a statement on this significant and impactful legislation.

“I opposed S-877 for numerous reasons. First, let me say that I accept the fact that some subsidy to the nuclear industry to keep it viable may be justifiable. Unfortunately, this legislation is not the way to do that.

“On the nuclear subsidy, the amount proposed has seemed to be a foregone conclusion from the first time we heard about the bill, with very little backing to justify it.

“While some subsidy may be in order, is $300 million the amount needed, or is it $50 million or some other number. Maybe it’s zero. I don’t believe this bill allows the flexibility to easily allow for reducing the subsidy, certainly for the first three years.

“Regarding the energy efficiency and solar components of the bill, there’s no agreement among the people within those industries that this bill is the right way to go about it.

“Overall, this legislation feels cobbled together to secure enough votes for the underlying nuclear subsidy. This is not the way to make good law.

“I appreciate people on both sides for reaching out to me to discuss their concerns, and I hope we can work together to find a better solution that works.”

Website Post:
http://www.senatenj.com/index.php/oscanlon/oscanlon-expresses-opposition-to-nuclear-subsidy-bill/37300