The U.S. Senate approved a bill on Tuesday aimed at expediting and making the construction process of nuclear plants more cost-effective. Members of both parties on the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee hailed this as a significant advancement towards a cleaner energy future.
This legislation, which raised safety concerns among some critics, was combined with another bill that supports the U.S. Fire Administration and firefighter grant programs.
Both bills are now headed to the president for final approval.
Bipartisan Support
Sens. Tom Carper (D-Del.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) led the bill and praised its passage as a significant win for both the environment and American energy security.
Senator Carper, the committee chair, emphasized the importance of nuclear energy as the largest source of carbon-free electricity in the country and its potential for creating jobs.
Upon the president’s signing, the act will set the groundwork for the safe deployment of advanced reactors in the coming years, according to Senator Carper.
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Senator Capito, the committee’s ranking member, credited the bill’s passage to collaborative efforts and stated that it will stimulate advancements in nuclear technologies.
“This bipartisan legislation will promote more innovation and investment in nuclear technologies within our borders,” she remarked.
She also noted that it would aid in repurposing old energy sites for future nuclear initiatives.
Legislative Details
The bill aims to enhance advanced nuclear technology by empowering the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to lead global regulations, streamline exports, reduce licensing expenses, incentivize reactor deployment, and improve efficiency in fuel cycles and resource management.
Within 180 days of enactment, the NRC must report to Congress on its initiatives to simplify and expedite the environmental review process for nuclear reactor license applications under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954.
Before the bill’s approval, critics voiced safety concerns.
Edwin Lyman, director of nuclear power safety at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), expressed worries on June 17 that the legislation would only mandate the NRC to enforce minimal oversight at nuclear facilities.
He cautioned that this could compromise safety and security oversight, posing a risk to public safety.
“Passing this legislation will heighten the threat to individuals residing near nuclear facilities from severe accidents or terrorist activities, making it harder for communities to oppose the siting of experimental reactors in their vicinity,” Lyman stated.
The White House has not indicated whether President Biden will sign the bill. However, White House national climate adviser Ali Zaidi expressed support for the legislation in a post on X on Tuesday.
“We appreciate the bipartisan efforts on advanced nuclear,” Zaidi wrote, sharing a video of Senator Carper’s Senate speech endorsing the bill.
“Having more tools at our disposal is crucial as we confront the climate crisis with the urgency it demands,” added the White House adviser.
