US Chamber urges Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to advance Nuclear Energy Leadership Act

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce recently sent a letter to Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chair Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Ranking Member Joe Manchin (D-WV) urging the committee to advance S. 903, the Nuclear Energy Leadership Act (NELA).

“In light of the challenges posed by climate change, innovative nuclear energy technologies hold great promise to provide reliable, affordable, safe, and carbon-free electricity to power America forward,” Neil Bradley, executive vice president and chief policy officer at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said in the letter. “As such, the Chamber urges the Committee to favorably report S. 903 to the full Senate.”

NELA would direct the Department of Energy (DOE) to create a ten-year nuclear energy strategic plan while fostering the development of advanced reactor demonstration projects. It would also create an advanced nuclear fuel security program and authorize long-term nuclear power purchase agreements.NELA would also establish the University Nuclear Leadership Program, which would help provide training for future advanced nuclear developers and operators.

“NELA would bolster America’s historic leadership in nuclear energy by developing next-generation nuclear energy resources,” the letter said. “While other countries have developed competing nuclear industries, our domestic development and use of nuclear generation has stagnated. NELA would tip the balance back in our favor.”