Washington, DC - Today, Energy and Commerce Committee Republican members continued their efforts to create innovative policies and promote clean energy by introducing two bills to strengthen domestic nuclear fuel supply and accelerate nuclear reactor licensing.
“Nuclear energy powers our everyday lives with emissions-free electricity and is vital for U.S. economic growth, energy security, and national security. This is why we must continue to strengthen our domestic nuclear industry and its infrastructure. The way we ensure continued prosperity and environmental protection for future generations is through innovation, and E&C Republicans will continue to lead the way in creating policies to make this a reality. I thank Reps. Latta and Duncan for their leadership on today’s bills," Walden said.
Today, E&C Republicans introduced:
* The Nuclear Prosperity and Security Act (H.R. 7814), led by Communications and Technology Subcommittee Republican Leader Bob Latta (R-OH), would create a uranium reserve to build our domestic fuel supply chain and ensure the United States maintains a domestic supply in the event of market disruption; and,
* The Modernize Nuclear Reactor Environmental Reviews Act (H.R. 7817), led by Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC), would streamline nuclear reactor licensing actions to accelerate the deployment of nuclear reactors while maintaining environmental standards.
In June 2020, E&C Republicans unveiled an energy innovation agenda to update infrastructure, promote clean energy, support American jobs, and cut federal red tape hindering innovation. Included in this agenda were two bills to advance nuclear energy:
* The Strengthening American Nuclear Competitiveness Act (H.R. 7405), led by Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH), would improve nuclear competitiveness and commerce while reducing emissions by expediting the review of certain nuclear technology exports; and,
* The Nuclear Licensing Efficiency Act (H.R. 7406), led by Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), would remove regulatory barriers to the deployment of nuclear technologies.
In April 2020, President Trump announced a strategy to Restore American Nuclear Energy Leadership. The report by the Department of Energy proposes 18 measures that will help resurrect U.S. global leadership in nuclear energy. You can read the report HERE.
