Senate advances $1.2 billion appropriations bill for nuclear energy

In a bipartisan show of support for the nuclear industry, the U.S. Senate voted 86-5 this week to advance a $1.2 billion appropriations bill to cover the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) nuclear energy programs for 2019.

The bill was part of a package which included the 2019 energy and water appropriations bill. The amounts slated for the DOE therein saw little change over the 2018 amounts, which reached $1.205 billion. The House has already approved a similar bill to fund the DOE’s efforts.

“In strong bipartisan fashion the United States Senate today authorized more than $1.2 billion in its Energy and Water Development Funding Bill for DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE),” NEI President and CEO Maria Korsnick said. “Earlier this year the House of Representatives approved just over $1.3 billion in funding for the office. The legislation passed today offers significant support for continued development of accident tolerant fuel, advanced reactor technologies, and fuel for advanced reactors.”

Specifically, the bill approves $75.6 million to fund accident tolerant fuel research, meant to make nuclear plants safer. It also provides $47 million for the DOE’s light water reactor sustainability program which would extend operating licenses from 60 to 80 years. Advanced reactor research and development was a similar priority, and would acquire $150 million to that end. Likewise, an additional $15 million was approved for the acquisition of high-assay low enriched uranium sources, which some advanced reactor designs require. Lastly, the bill guarantees the continued operations of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission with a $910 million budget.

“I am pleased that the Senate has passed this important legislation, marking the first set of funding bills that represent our renewed framework for success,” Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby (R-AL) said. “These responsible, targeted investments will help advance American energy security.”

Both the House and Senate bills now go to conference to create a single appropriations package.