U.S. Rep. Bob Latta said “energy security is national security” ahead of an April 22 hearing he will chair with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on nuclear power and U.S. energy policy.
Latta made the statement in a social media post, following an announcement from the House Committee on Energy and Commerce regarding an oversight hearing scheduled scheduled for April 22. The representative from Ohio’s Fifth Congressional District chairs the Energy Subcommittee and is responsible for reviewing energy-related legislation and regulatory implementation in Congress.
“Nuclear power plays a key role in providing clean, reliable, and affordable energy to Americans,” Latta said in his post. “Looking forward to chairing this hearing with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to examine ways in which Congress can support NRC’s efforts and exploring new ways to strengthen and expand American energy dominance. Energy security is national security.”
Ohio operates two nuclear power plants along Lake Erie that deliver consistent baseload electricity to the state grid. According to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the plants generated about 12% of the state’s electricity in 2023. These facilities support electricity demand in northwest Ohio, including areas within the Fifth Congressional District.
Nationally, nuclear power accounts for approximately 20% of total electricity generation, according to analysis from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The country maintains the world’s largest nuclear fleet with capacity factors that routinely exceed 90%, as reported by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. This performance contributes to consistent baseload electricity output across multiple regions of the U.S. power grid.
Latta has represented Ohio’s Fifth Congressional District since 2007, serves as a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and chairs its Energy Subcommittee. According to his official biography, he earned degrees from Bowling Green State University and the University of Toledo College of Law, and has focused on energy policy throughout his congressional service.
