On Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008, Senator Carper spoke about the importance to this country of clean nuclear power and a strong Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to provide oversight and keep nuclear safe and secure. As chairman of the Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety, Senator Carper held a hearing to examine how the NRC will maintain the highest level of safety standards and protections as it begins to review applications for what could be the first new US nuclear facility in nearly 30 years.