The House Subcommittee on Energy advanced six pieces of legislation related to nuclear energy licensing and oversight during a markup led by Congressman Bob Latta on July 14. The bills aim to improve the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s licensing process and Department of Energy nuclear reporting, with all measures forwarded to the Full Committee by voice vote.
Chairman Latta said, “A robust and growing American nuclear industry is vital to meet our nation’s rapidly increasing energy demand. A resilient nuclear supply chain is critical for U.S. economic, energy and national security.”
The legislative package includes H.R. 3978 (Nuclear REFUEL Act), H.R. 9612 (American Enrichment Deployment Act), H.R. 5549 (Efficient Nuclear Licensing Hearings Act), H.R. 9613 (Nuclear Advisory Committee Reform Act), H.R. 9614 (NRC Staff Pay Alignment Act), and H.R. 9084 (Department of Energy Nuclear Transparency Act). Each bill was advanced as amended or in original form by voice vote.
Congresswoman Harshbarger addressed the role of advisory committees: “There’s a new wave of technologies on the horizon that would still benefit from Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards independent review and advice… It would amend the Atomic Energy Act to direct that the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards focus on issues that are directly related to reactor design, safety-significant, and novel, and that have not been previously acted upon by the Committee.” Congressman Fry discussed streamlining enrichment facility licensing: “This bill would amend the Atomic Energy Act to remove unnecessary provisions for licensing enrichment facilities… All of these fuel cycle facilities are more akin to industrial chemical facilities than to nuclear reactors, and are therefore subject to an efficient, one-step licensing process for the possession and use of the special nuclear material that the NRC regulates.” Congressman Balderson commented on eliminating mandatory hearings: “This bill amends the Atomic Energy Act to remove the requirement for the NRC to expend resources on unnecessary hearings… Removing this mandatory hearing would in no way impact the right of anyone whose interests are affected by the licensing to request a hearing on specific matters.”
The House Energy and Commerce Committee focuses on legislation concerning energy, health care, environmental protection, telecommunications, consumer issues, energy innovation, broadband deployment and pharmaceutical pricing; it stands as one of its oldest standing committees since its origins in 1795 as Commerce and Manufactures, according to its official website.