STATEMENT FROM SECRETARY MONIZ ON THE NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY

U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz made the following statement regarding the National Security Strategy (NSS) announced on Friday (February 6th):

“The vision that President Obama laid out in the latest National Security Strategy positions the United States to be a continued global leader in promoting a safe and secure world while mitigating the risks of climate change. When President Obama spoke nearly six years ago in Prague, he laid out many of the challenges that the world faces, from climate change to the global economic crisis to nuclear proliferation. And he called for global action to meet these challenges. The NSS update reaffirms the commitment of the United States to answer that call.

The NSS highlights the grave danger posed by the proliferation of nuclear weapons, and the potential use of nuclear weapons and materials by irresponsible states or terrorists. The Department of Energy plays a major role to prevent, counter, and respond to these threats. And while President Obama continues to seek a world without nuclear weapons, he has been equally clear that as long as nuclear weapons exist, the United States must invest the resources necessary to maintain – without testing – a safe, secure, and effective nuclear deterrent.

Additionally, the NSS update highlights our ongoing work to contribute to national security through enhancing our energy security and that of our allies while combating the threat of climate change. Now more than ever, it is critical for us to focus our efforts to cooperate on security issues that are increasingly critical to the stability of global markets and underscore the risk of relying on one source of energy. At the same time, collective action on security also presents an opportunity to diversify our low-carbon energy options, combat climate change, and strengthen our economies.”