Congressman Robert J. Wittman | Official US House headshots
Congressman Robert J. Wittman | Official US House headshots
Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) and Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) have written a letter to Admiral John Aquilino of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, urging the U.S. Department of Defense to take advantage of Virginia's nuclear energy capabilities to enhance sustainable power for military facilities, long-range missile defense systems, and command and control centers.
In their letter, the lawmakers highlight the advantages of using micro-nuclear reactors in the expansive Indo-Pacific theater. They emphasize the reliance of critical military installations on imported fuel and the potential risks associated with such dependence. The lawmakers argue that investing in Virginia's nuclear energy could provide a capable and reliable alternative that is unaffected by unpredictable weather patterns or threatened logistical lines.
The letter states, "It would be unwise to expend such a precious resource on demands that could be so easily met by an extremely capable and reliable alternative." The lawmakers recommend proposing advance procurement funding in the upcoming Fiscal Year 2025 budget and Future Years Defense Program for additional systems, pending assessment.
Congressman Wittman has long been a proponent of clean nuclear energy. In 2023, he introduced the 21st Century Atomic Energy Act, which aims to modernize regulations, promote innovation, and prioritize domestic control over the nuclear supply chain.
The letter to Admiral Aquilino is part of the lawmakers' ongoing efforts to explore the strategic benefits of microreactors for INDOPACOM. They seek the Admiral's assessment of the potential value of increased procurement of microreactors through the Strategic Capabilities Office Project Pele. The lawmakers highlight the mobility and safety features of the microreactor design, which is contained within standardized shipping containers and safeguarded against contamination risks.
The potential uses of an energy source that is reliable, resilient, and expeditionary are evident to the lawmakers. However, they express uncertainty about whether INDOPACOM's requirements generation and wargaming process have reached a similar conclusion.
The lawmakers conclude their letter by offering their support to Admiral Aquilino's efforts and requesting prompt feedback on the matter.
The full letter can be accessed [here](link to the letter).
Click this link to access more information: https://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5568
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