WASHINGTON, DC - House Energy and Commerce Committee members Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH) and Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-CA) introduced H.R. 4979, the Advanced Nuclear Technology Development Act of 2016. The bipartisan legislation will help provide the regulatory structure needed for safe, advanced nuclear energy technologies to play an important role in the U.S. energy portfolio.
The Advanced Nuclear Technology Development Act of 2016 requires the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to work together to provide certainty for the development of advanced nuclear technology. The legislation also requires that the NRC establish a regulatory framework to license and oversee such technology.
“Congress must look to the future of the nuclear industry, and this bill provides the certainty needed for continued private sector innovation, while also providing the NRC a path to safely regulate advanced nuclear technologies," said Latta. “I am enthusiastic about this legislation and look forward to working with the committee to move the bill forward."
“Nuclear power provides approximately 60 percent of the carbon -free electricity in the U.S. It’s essential that we invest in clean energy technologies that help us move away from carbon-intensive energy resources. Encouraging the DOE and NRC to work together on new reactor technologies has the potential to ensure the U.S. remains a leader in nuclear technology and will provide us with additional security here at home," said McNerney.
Energy and Power Subcommittee Chairman Ed Whitfield (R-KY) added, “The NRC functions best when it has the tools to fulfill its mission while allowing innovators in the nuclear industry to thrive. This legislation is forward thinking, and I commend Rep. Latta and Rep. McNerney for leading the charge on ensuring a bright future for new nuclear energy technologies. I look forward to examining the bill in our subcommittee in the very near future. See Also
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