Sen. Cramer Welcomes Nuclear Power Purchase Agreement between United States and Poland

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), a Senate Banking Committee and Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee member, issued the following statement today on the United States and Poland signing the first Intergovernmental Agreement to cooperate on the development of Poland’s civil nuclear power program:

“Poland is an important ally for the United States. Helping them achieve energy security strengthens our partnership, brings further peace to the region, and increases American exports of this reliable and clean source of energy. Congratulations to President Trump on fulfilling his promise to Poland and to Secretary Brouillette for securing this agreement which will benefit both countries for decades to come.”

U.S. Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette and Poland’s Secretary of State for Strategic Energy Infrastructure Piotr Naimski - whom Senator Cramer met with earlier this year to discuss baseload nuclear power - announced the agreement today.

“The U.S. is committed to working with Poland to advance its national security, its regional security, and its democratic sovereignty,” said Secretary Brouillette. “The Trump Administration believes the key to energy security is energy diversity – a diversity of fuels, sources, and routes. Nuclear will provide a clean and reliable supply of electricity to the people of Poland, as well as enhance their energy diversity and security. The next generation of nuclear energy must be a part of the energy security conversation with our allies in Europe and around the world.”

According to the Energy Department, over the next 18 months, the United States and Poland will work together to implement Poland’s nuclear power program, including potential financing arrangements. The deal helps Poland replace its aging coal power fleet with nuclear power by purchasing $18 billion worth of nuclear technology from U.S. companies. Learn more here.

Today’s news follows remarks Senator Cramer delivered at a recent EPW hearing on nuclear energy, where the senator stressed the importance of American leadership in nuclear energy development.

“How did America let its nuclear superiority slip away?” Senator Cramer asked at the hearing. “We need to get it back before it is too late. I would rather export our excellence than import their mediocrity.”

Through legislation he has introduced and supported, Senator Cramer has advocated for:

• maintaining domestic nuclear power plants with the Nuclear Powers American Act of 2019,
• capping Russian uranium imports with the Russian Suspension Agreement Extension Act of 2020, and
• investing in the next generation of nuclear technology and workforce with the Nuclear Energy Leadership Act (NELA).

Additionally, today’s announcement underscores the importance of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM). According to Secretary Brouillette, Poland will spend $18 billion on purchases of nuclear technology from American companies like Westinghouse, Bechtel and Southern Company, which has a letter of intent with EXIM for $6 billion worth of financing.

“EXIM is a key to making this deal a reality,” said Senator Cramer. “It’s another example of the opportunities the bank can create for our exporters and the role it plays in strengthening America’s economic and national security.”

Senator Cramer hosted EXIM Chairman Kimberly Reed in North Dakota last week to discuss how the bank keeps American companies competitive in the global marketplace and could create more growth opportunities for exporters in North Dakota. Her visit followed Senator Cramer securing the longest reauthorization in the history of the EXIM Bank last year.