Industry Eager for Renewal of U.S.-Taiwan Nuclear Cooperation Pact

Richard Myers

The following post was submitted by Richard Myers, NEI’s vice president of policy development, planning and supplier programs. It addresses the bilateral nuclear cooperation agreement with Taiwan submitted to Congress for review on Jan. 7. The agreement was signed by the American Institute in Taiwan and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office. The agreement will be reviewed by Congress for 90 days of continuous session before entering into force. 

The U.S. nuclear energy industry thanks the Obama Administration for concluding negotiation of an agreement to continue nuclear energy cooperation between the United States and Taiwan. The industry is eager for the renewal of the agreement for cooperation with this longstanding strategic partner.

U.S. exports of nuclear technology, equipment and services to Taiwan support thousands of U.S. jobs. Two General Electric nuclear energy facilities are under construction in Taiwan at Lungmen, and other U.S. companies provide equipment, services and fuel to Taiwan’s six operating nuclear power plants. Renewal of the bilateral cooperation agreement will result in up to $10 billion of U.S. exports. This could create or sustain up to 50,000 high-paying U.S. jobs, according to the Department of Commerce.

This agreement maintains U.S. leadership and influence in the critical issues of global nuclear safety, security and nonproliferation. It also continues the pragmatic, bipartisan U.S. policy on nuclear energy cooperation agreements under Section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act.