WHEREAS, Nuclear Science Week recognizes the contributions of the nuclear science community and aims to educate the public on five pillars of nuclear: carbon-free energy, global leadership, transformative healthcare, innovation and technology, and space exploration; and
WHEREAS, the State of Idaho is home to Idaho National Laboratory, the nation’s nuclear energy research and development center; and
WHEREAS research conducted at 52 test reactors on the INL Site helped enable America’s commercial nuclear energy industry, which today produces nearly 20-percent of our nation’s electricity and more than half our carbon-free-electricity; and
WHEREAS INL, as the state’s sixth-largest private employer, is an important driver of the regional and state economies; and
WHEREAS, nuclear space and propulsion systems developed at INL are being used safely and reliably in scientific missions beyond our solar system; and
WHEREAS, INL research played a vital role in development of the nation’s Nuclear Navy, which is essential to American national security; and
WHEREAS, INL’s partnership with the State of Idaho, our public schools, and colleges and universities, is providing students vital access to STEM education programs and opportunities to be part of the future workforce that will deliver safe, clean, and reliable energy to our communities; and
WHEREAS, INL, through the National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC) and Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) initiative, is working with industry to produce the advanced nuclear energy technologies needed to power future prosperity while reducing carbon emissions;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BRAD LITTLE, Governor of the State of Idaho, do hereby proclaim October 18-24 to be Nuclear Science Week in Idaho, and I encourage all citizens to recognize the importance of nuclear energy to our national security, economy, and environment.
