Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the bipartisan Atomic Energy Advancement Act (H.R. 6544). This legislation advances policies that will expand the use of nuclear energy and its many benefits for the United States by enabling efficient, timely, and predictable licensing and deployment of nuclear energy technologies. Dr. Bucshon’s Advanced Reactor Fee Reduction Act was included as a key part of the package. The Advanced Reactor Fee Reduction Act would amend the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act to update the fees charged by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for advanced reactor applicants, with the goal being to remove some of the barriers to participation for this technology, according to the subcommittee’s information.

“Expanding nuclear energy uses while simultaneously creating a regulatory structure that bolsters innovation is essential to provide Hoosiers and all Americans with energy affordability, reliability, and security,” said Dr. Bucshon. “The Atomic Energy Advancement Act is game-changing legislation and the largest reform of our nuclear power laws in a generation, and I am proud to see my legislation included in this critical energy package that ensures America remains a world leader in nuclear energy technology.”

BACKGROUND

Dr. Bucshon has remained a strong advocate for an energy agenda that promotes economic growth, affordability and reliability for consumers, and bolsters U.S. energy security. Dr. Bucshon has continually rejected the Biden administration’s rush-to-green agenda, emphasizing that our nation’s energy policy doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game and that’s why we need an all-of-the-above approach to support growth and secure our grid’s reliability while limiting government overreach. 

Benefits of Expanding Nuclear Energy:

• Nuclear energy is crucial for American energy affordability, reliability, and security. 
• Nuclear power generates 5 percent of the United States’ carbon-free electricity and nearly 20 percent of the nation’s total electricity. Expanding clean nuclear energy will help America continue to lead the world in reducing carbon emissions.
• America’s nuclear industry supports nearly 100,000 jobs and, including secondary jobs, more than 470,000.
• A robust civil nuclear sector strengthens the United States’ strategic leverage and ability to set global standards.

The Atomic Energy Advancement Act Modernizes the Nuclear Regulatory Commission by:

• Directing the NRC leadership to align the expressed mission of the NRC with the foundational goals of the Atomic Energy Act;
• Requiring the NRC to conduct efficient, timely, and predictable licensing processes and establishing—and regularly updating—metrics and milestones to measure licensing performance to meet efficiency goals;
• Updating NRC hiring authorities to enable recruitment and appointment of highly qualified individuals to meet critical hiring needs;
• Reducing NRC fees collected from applicants for advanced nuclear reactor licenses and establishing prize incentives for first of a kind technology and uses;
• Directing the NRC to identify and implement measures to facilitate more efficient, timely environmental reviews for siting of nuclear reactors;
• Directing the NRC to identify and implement measures to facilitate licensing of nuclear facilities at retired fossil fuel sites; and
• Directing the NRC to update its reactor oversight procedures to increase efficiency and assure appropriate focus on the most significant safety issues.

The Atomic Energy Advancement Act Expands and Accelerates Nuclear Technology Deployment by:

• Authorizing NRC funding to support preapplication activities and early site permit reviews for advanced reactors that will be located on either Department of Energy (DOE) or critical national security infrastructure sites;
• Improving global nuclear cooperation through enhanced DOE and NRC technical support for U.S. allies, and reducing barriers to investment in U.S. projects; and
• Requiring DOE to update its nuclear export review policy and extending the critical indemnification program under the Price-Anderson Act.

Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. represents Indiana’s 8^th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives and is a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

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