Second District Dispatch: Trump encourages nuclear energy

Photo: Congressman Wilson meeting with Columbia Metropolitan Airport officials in Washington

By Joe Wilson – Member of Congress

One of President Donald Trump’s national security objectives is to re-establish the United States as a global leader in nuclear energy.

Last month, the Savannah River Site (SRS) announced three public-private partnerships to develop small modular reactor (SMR) technologies at their facility.

Factory-assembled, possessing about one-third the generating capacity of traditional, much larger nuclear power reactors, and transported to a location for installation, the Department of Energy says these will, “. . . help leverage Savannah River’s land assets, energy facilities and nuclear expertise to support potential private sector development, testing and licensing of prototype SMR technologies.”

As the only Member of Congress to have worked at the Savannah River Site I am grateful for the positive impact the Site has had and will have on local communities in South Carolina and Georgia, as well as on American national security.

President Donald Trump, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Commissioner of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and South Carolinian, David Wright, Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration Brandon Williams, and Congress are working to make America energy independent, reliable, and secure – creating jobs with all of the above energy.

Constituent meetings

Meeting and speaking with those who live and work in the Second District provides me a firsthand understanding of the issues affecting the many businesses, organizations, and individuals represented. I welcome the opportunity to listen to your needs and concerns — the offices and I stand ready to help.

Congressman Wilson meeting with the Lexington Chamber of Commerce

Whether in the Washington, Midlands, or Aiken/Barnwell offices, we want to hear from you, and our goals are to provide support however possible, whether it is an individual concern, or more broad issues.

The following is a sampling of the groups and individuals representing our community that I have met with in the last few months. Please continue to check out the office Facebook and Instagram pages for more photos and insight.

Enough is Enough

The Recycled Materials Association

South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities

South Carolina Realtors Leadership Academy

South Carolina Rural Water Association

National Association of Elementary School Principals

Belvedere Elementary School

MENTOR

Rolls-Royce

Greater Chapin Chamber of Commerce

South Carolina Office of Rural Health

The American Institute of Architects

The South Carolina Ports Authority

Cayce Elementary School

South Carolina Association for the Education of Young Children

National Association of Secondary School Principals

Lexington Chamber of Commerce

South Carolina Air National Guard

Debbie’s Dream Foundation

Columbia Chamber of Commerce

Forest Resources Association

Wounded Warrior Project

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership

Fluor Corporation

Disability Rights South Carolina

South Carolina Peach Council

The American Battlefield Trust

Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Alliance

American Medical Association

National Bleeding Disorders Foundation

Columbia Metropolitan Airport

South Carolina State Firefighter’s Association

National Association of Convenience Stores

Emerson Electric Co.

South Carolina Apartment Association

Breakthrough T1D

American Lung Association

AGY

Savannah River Site

Eisenhower Army Medical Center

Columbia Rotary Club

I am grateful to represent South Carolina’s Second District.