General Atomics' Energy Group on Rick Perry's Confirmation as Secretary of the Department of Energy

WASHINGTON, March 2, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Dr. Jeffrey Quintenz, Senior Vice President of General Atomics' Energy Group, released the following statement after the Senate voted 62-37 to confirm Governor Rick Perry as the next U.S. Secretary of Energy:

"We at General Atomics congratulate Secretary Perry on his confirmation as the new head of the Department of Energy. Under Secretary Perry's leadership, we look forward to continuing our strong, long-term relationships with the Office of Science, Office of Nuclear Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). Together, we strive to advance our nation's technology leadership by providing world-class energy research and development.

"Specifically, we are addressing the need for an abundant, carbon-free source of baseload electricity through our nuclear fission program. To maintain a diversity of energy sources, it is critically important to increase our nation's use of nuclear energy. General Atomics is addressing four key challenges currently facing the nuclear industry: cost-competitiveness, perceived safety risks, waste production, and proliferation risk. Our Energy Multiplier Module advanced reactor concept was developed specifically to solve each of these challenges and has already provided a nearer-term benefit in advancing Accident Tolerant Fuels. Another near-term benefit of our work on advanced reactor technology is a novel way to produce Moly-99, a vital medical diagnostic isotope. This process will provide enough Moly-99 for 10 million procedures a year, roughly half of U.S. demand. For the first time, Moly-99 will be made in the U.S. from LEU (low enriched uranium) rather than HEU (highly enriched uranium), fulfilling an important nonproliferation objective.

"GA operates the nation's largest fusion research facility, the DIII-D National Fusion Facility, for Fusion Energy Sciences of the Office of Science. This research facility has helped the global scientific community understand and control fusion plasmas and establish the scientific basis for the operation of future fusion devices. The research performed at DIII-D provides important support for the ITER international project – a consortium of 35 nations working to demonstrate the feasibility of fusion energy as a nearly limitless source of carbon-free energy. In addition, GA is fabricating several high technology products critical to the operation of ITER.

"Given GA's role supporting the NNSA's work ensuring the safety, security and effectiveness of our nuclear stockpile, we welcome opportunities to continue our partnership on this vital mission.  

"Energy and national security are of the utmost importance to GA and the country, and we look forward to working with Secretary Perry and the Department he now leads to help ensure a bright future."

About General Atomics
San Diego-based General Atomics and its affiliated companies are one of the world's leading resources for high-technology systems ranging from the nuclear fuel cycle to electromagnetic systems, remotely operated surveillance aircraft, airborne sensors and advanced electronic, wireless and laser technologies. www.ga.com

Contact: Zabrina Johal
858-455-4004 | 858-444-5465 (cell)
[email protected]

SOURCE General Atomics

Related Links

http://www.ga.com