Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson received the Nuclear Energy Research and Development Policymaker of the 113th Congress Award. The Policymaker Award was initiated by 27 members of the Nuclear Energy Institute’s Summit Coordinating Committee to recognize leaders serving the nation in public office who have demonstrated exceptional support for research and development in nuclear energy technology. Simpson chairs the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee.  

Jeffrey Crater, Vice President for Government Relations for the Babcock and Wilcox Company, presented the award to Congressman Simpson.  “Chairman Simpson is being recognized for his vision and leadership in championing the advancement of nuclear power technology, as well as his continued support of innovative research at universities, throughout the U.S. Department of Energy laboratories and within private industry,” said Crater.

“What I appreciate most about Mike Simpson is his clear and open mind recognizing we need all sources of energy to ensure a better and more independent energy future, away from those regions in the world with individuals who want to do harm to Americans,” Crater said.  “Make no mistake about it: Eastern Idahoans and our great nation need Mike Simpson’s strong leadership in Congress to solve energy challenges we face that are vital to our energy and national security.”

The Nuclear Energy R&D Summit was sponsored by the Nuclear Energy Institute as a forum for industry, academic and government leaders to discuss technical, environmental, economic, political and regulatory issues surrounding the nuclear energy industry.  It is being held in Washington, DC, on February 25th and 26th. 

In accepting the award, Simpson said, “Like each of you, I believe nuclear energy must be an integral and growing part of our nation’s energy portfolio in the coming decades.  I am proud of the work you all do to advance that cause, and of my state’s own Idaho National Laboratory, which helps to lead the nation in the critical research required to advance new nuclear technologies that are inherently safe, produce less waste, and are more efficient.” 

“As Chairman of the Energy and Water Subcommittee, it is my job to ensure that we focus our resources on investments that will have near and long-term return for taxpayers and move our nation toward energy independence sooner rather than later,” Simpson said.  “I look forward to working with you all to ensure that DOE investments are more impactful, to make sure they’re resulting in significant advancements in technological development, environmental quality, and energy security.”