Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Chair Jeff Duncan (R-SC) delivered the following opening remarks at today’s hearing titled “The Fiscal Year 2025 Nuclear Regulatory Commission Budget.”
“Good morning, and let me welcome the four Commissioners of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) – Chairman Hanson, Commissioner Wright, Commissioner Caputo, and Commissioner Crowell.
“You all are responsible for ensuring the NRC performs its mission appropriately to meet the laws and policies enacted by Congress.
“That is reflected in your guidance to the Commission, your policy making, your leadership.
“It is also reflected in how the staff performs, the judgments and decisions they make to advance the mission.
“This may be seen in several ways, such as in budgeting, in the decisions for timing and resources to do license reviews, and in the approach to new and novel licensing challenges like new factory-built reactors.
“We look forward to discussing this with you today.”
Duncan emphasized that it is an exciting time for nuclear energy. "All evidence shows we are on the precipice of a new nuclear renaissance. Nuclear energy plays a critical and growing role in providing reliable power, enhancing energy security and our American global leadership."
He highlighted recent legislative efforts: “This Congress, and particularly the Energy and Commerce Committee, has been united and ambitious in advancing durable and bipartisan policy that will expand nuclear energy and its many benefits for the nation. Our goal has been to bring America’s nuclear promise back into alignment with the goals that Congress established when passing the Atomic Energy Act."
Duncan pointed out that these efforts culminated in a significant legislative package signed into law by President Biden on July 9, 2024. "This package passed with overwhelming bipartisan support—as the Atomic Energy Advancement Act in the House and the ADVANCE Act in the Senate."
However, he noted that enacting a law is just one step: “The burden now shifts to you [the NRC Commissioners], and the Commission staff to implement the law.”
Duncan expressed concerns about past inefficiencies within NRC operations: “In recent years, we’ve witnessed plenty of examples of NRC failing to be an efficient regulator. At your budget hearing last year, we talked about unacceptable pace of subsequent licenses reviews… These failures must be addressed.”
He stressed that under new legislation like The ADVANCE Act: "The burden now shifts to you [the NRC Commissioners],” emphasizing their responsibility for ensuring efficient regulation without unnecessarily limiting deployment of nuclear technology.
“In conclusion,” Duncan stated his expectations from NRC: “Our goal was to identify what is needed to create a better functioning regulator… I look forward to discussing today how we can be sure NRC is ready for this future.”
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