WASHINGTON, DC - Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-OR) released the following statement after President Trump signed S. 512, the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act, into law yesterday.
S. 512, the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act, authored by Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) passed the House by a vote of 361 to 10. A House version of the legislation, H.R. 1320, the Nuclear Utilization of Keynote Energy (NUKE) Act, authored by Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA), passed the House by voice vote in September 2018. The Senate passed S. 512 by voice vote on Dec. 20, 2018.
* S. 512 will revise the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) fee recovery structure and increase the predictability, transparency, and efficiency of the NRC’s regulatory processes. It also directs the NRC to develop the regulatory framework necessary to enable the licensing of advanced nuclear reactors.
“Nuclear continues to be a reliable, safe, emissions-free energy source, and must be part of an ‘all-of-the-above’ American energy strategy," Walden said. “This bipartisan legislation gives our nuclear regulators the flexibility they need to bring new, safe reactors online, while also protecting ratepayers who pay for regulatory costs of nuclear energy. I applaud Rep. Kinzinger for his dedication to putting consumers first and encouraging greater investment for the next generation of nuclear power."
