Trump signs bill to provide greater clarity into budgeting for Nuclear Regulatory Commission
President Donald Trump signed into law Monday a bill designed to provide greater clarity into the process by which the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) develops its budget and recovers its costs through fees.
The legislation – the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act (NEIMA) – includes several provisions to increase transparency into the NRC. First, it requires the NRC to establish performance metrics and milestones for licensing and other regulatory actions. It also requires the commission to develop a regulatory framework for individuals or organizations that seek to deploy advanced nuclear technologies. Finally, the bill directs the NRC to establish a pilot project to provide uranium producers predictable fees for routine licensing matters.
“I applaud President Trump for signing this significant nuclear energy legislation into law,” U.S. Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, said. “This law will make sure the United States remains a leader of nuclear energy innovation. Nuclear energy not only creates jobs but is critical if we are going to reduce carbon emissions in a meaningful way. The law will bring greater transparency and accountability to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s spending. Additionally, it will establish a licensing process for advanced nuclear reactors and other new technologies. I want to thank members of Congress for coming together to pass this important legislation.”
Committee ranking member Tom Carper (D-DE), along with Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Deb Fischer (R-NE), and Joe Manchin (D-WV), also issued statements in support of the law.
“Nuclear power serves as our nation’s largest source of reliable, carbon-free energy, which can help combat the negative impacts of climate change and at the same time, foster economic opportunities for Americans,” Carper said. “If we are smart, we will replace our aging nuclear reactors with new technology developed in this country that is safer, produces less spent fuel and is cheaper to build and operate. I want to thank Senator Barrasso for working with me on this important bipartisan legislation that supports advanced nuclear reactors and ensures the United States remains on the cutting edge. This is another important step in our fight against climate change.”
The bill was co-sponsored by Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ), Bob Casey (D-PA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Chris Coons (D-DE), John Cornyn (R-TX), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Gary Peters (D-MI), John Kennedy (R-LA), and James Risch (R-ID).
“It’s important that the United States remain a leader in technological innovation, and I’m glad that my House colleagues also recognize the importance of growing our nuclear industry to meet the energy and environmental challenges of the 21st century,” Capito, chair of the Clean Air and Nuclear Safety Subcommittee, said. “It’s great to see this bipartisan legislation head to the president’s desk so we can maintain the availability of diverse, reliable, and affordable sources of electricity for the American people.”
The Senate passed the bill by voice vote on Dec. 20, 2018. The House passed the bill on Dec. 21, 2018 by a vote of 361-10.
“A new generation of nuclear technology could help tackle the serious climate threats we face, and may even help address the challenge of nuclear waste. That’s why it’s important to update the federal government’s outdated approval process for new nuclear technologies,” Whitehouse, ranking member of the Clean Air and Nuclear Safety Subcommittee, said. “I am proud to have worked with this bipartisan group on this bill, which will give our nuclear regulator the flexibility it needs to bring new, safe reactors online to produce carbon-free energy.”
