House Committee advances two nuclear energy bills

The House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced two bills last week related to nuclear energy, including one that would ensure that domestically-produced high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) is available.

The Advanced Nuclear Fuel Availability Act (HR 6140), sponsored by Reps. Bill Flores (R-TX) and Jerry McNerney (D-CA), would ensure that adequate supplies of domestically produced HALEU — enriched above 5 percent and below 20 percent — are available. Currently, the United States lacks the commercial capability to produce HALEU. The congressmen said it is essential for some of the advanced reactor designs being developed in the United States. The bill also seeks to develop a transportation infrastructure for HALEU.

The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) applauded the advancement of the bill, which passed by voice vote.

“By creating a program that will make HALEU available for commercial use, we are making an important investment in the globally competitive race to design and deploy advanced reactor technology,” NEI Vice President of Governmental Affairs Beverly Marshall said.

The second bill, the Nuclear Utilization of Keynote Energy (NUKE) Act (HR 1320), was sponsored by Reps. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and Mike Doyle (D-PA). The NUKE Act would update the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s fee collection mechanism so that industry-paid fees are collected more efficiently. Also, it would direct studies to analyze possible outdated procedures at the NRC to identify efficiencies. Further, it would create a review of timelines for license applications.

“The NUKE Act sets in motion well-justified and timely steps to reform outdated and inefficient NRC regulations, including the funding structure that was developed nearly 30 years ago. Establishing a more transparent fee process and initiating common-sense reform will lift the burden of unnecessary regulations by the NRC,” Marshall said.

This bill also passed by voice vote.

“We appreciate the actions taken today to safeguard the contributions nuclear energy provides to our national security, economic growth, and international influence and look forward to continuing to work with lawmakers to swiftly have the bills considered on the house floor,” Marshall said.

Both pieces of legislation now head to the full House floor for further consideration.