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Energy Secretary Rick Perry prodded Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to sign a nuclear energy agreement with the U.S., warning the oil-rich kingdom that it risks missing out on an opportunity to show its commitment to using nuclear power responsibly.
"If they don't, the message will be clear to the rest of the world that the kingdom is not as concerned about being leaders when it comes to non-proliferation in the Middle East," Perry said in testimony before the House Science, Space and Technology Committee.
The Trump administration is considering allowing the Saudis to enrich and reprocess uranium as part of what’s known as a nuclear cooperation agreement, or a “123 agreement.”
In exchange, the U.S. would permit Westinghouse, a bankrupt nuclear reactor business, and other American companies to build nuclear reactors in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia plans to construct 16 nuclear power reactors over the next 20 to 25 years at a cost of more than $80 billion, according to the World Nuclear Association, and the Trump administration wants the U.S. to have a piece.
U.S. officials discussed a possible deal with Saudi Arabia's powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman when he recently visited the White House.
Democrats at the hearing said they want assurances that the nuclear energy agreement keeps strong measures in place, known as the "gold standard," to ensure the reactors are not used to enrich uranium for weapons. Lawmakers are especially worried Saudi Arabia could look to pursue nuclear weapons after President Trump announced Tuesday he is leaving the Iran nuclear agreement intended to curb Tehran's nuclear program.
"There is real concern in a bipartisan way that we may enter into a 123 agreement that does allow the Saudis to pursue nuclear enrichment," said Rep. Ami Bera, D- Calif.
Perry responded that working with the U.S. , in lieu of other partners who don't share America's values, could encourage Saudi Arabia to use nuclear power responsibly.
"I share your concerns about an increase in proliferation of nuclear materials in the world," Perry said. "That goes to the point we tried to make with the Saudi crown prince in conversations with him. If you want the best reactors in the world, you have to come to us and use Westinghouse. For us in America who truly believe in non-proliferation, that is a powerful place to be"
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/...rabia-should-sign-nuclear-energy-deal-with-us
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/...rabia-should-sign-nuclear-energy-deal-with-us
"If they don't, the message will be clear to the rest of the world that the kingdom is not as concerned about being leaders when it comes to non-proliferation in the Middle East," Perry said in testimony before the House Science, Space and Technology Committee.
The Trump administration is considering allowing the Saudis to enrich and reprocess uranium as part of what’s known as a nuclear cooperation agreement, or a “123 agreement.”
In exchange, the U.S. would permit Westinghouse, a bankrupt nuclear reactor business, and other American companies to build nuclear reactors in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia plans to construct 16 nuclear power reactors over the next 20 to 25 years at a cost of more than $80 billion, according to the World Nuclear Association, and the Trump administration wants the U.S. to have a piece.
U.S. officials discussed a possible deal with Saudi Arabia's powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman when he recently visited the White House.
Democrats at the hearing said they want assurances that the nuclear energy agreement keeps strong measures in place, known as the "gold standard," to ensure the reactors are not used to enrich uranium for weapons. Lawmakers are especially worried Saudi Arabia could look to pursue nuclear weapons after President Trump announced Tuesday he is leaving the Iran nuclear agreement intended to curb Tehran's nuclear program.
"There is real concern in a bipartisan way that we may enter into a 123 agreement that does allow the Saudis to pursue nuclear enrichment," said Rep. Ami Bera, D- Calif.
Perry responded that working with the U.S. , in lieu of other partners who don't share America's values, could encourage Saudi Arabia to use nuclear power responsibly.
"I share your concerns about an increase in proliferation of nuclear materials in the world," Perry said. "That goes to the point we tried to make with the Saudi crown prince in conversations with him. If you want the best reactors in the world, you have to come to us and use Westinghouse. For us in America who truly believe in non-proliferation, that is a powerful place to be"
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/...rabia-should-sign-nuclear-energy-deal-with-us
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/...rabia-should-sign-nuclear-energy-deal-with-us
