U.S. House bill aims to spur nuclear innovation

Legislation recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would speed up innovation and increase private-sector investment in advanced nuclear reactor technologies.

Under a bipartisan bill introduced on Dec. 7 by U.S. Rep. Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH), the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) could no longer charge fees to review applications for advanced nuclear reactor licenses.

“By eliminating application fees for advanced fission and fusion reactors, we can yield enormous innovation benefits that create jobs, improve our nation’s security, and generate more emissions-free energy,” Gonzalez said.

Rep. Gonzalez introduced the Accelerating Nuclear Innovation through Fee Reform Act, H.R. 6154, with U.S. Rep. Elaine Luria (D-VA). The bill would exclude the current NRC application review costs that can reach tens of millions of dollars for advanced nuclear companies, thereby disincentivizing them from bringing new technologies to market, according to information provided by the lawmakers.

“If the U.S. wants to be a climate leader while remaining energy independent, nuclear energy has to play a pivotal role in our nation’s energy mix,” Rep. Gonzalez said. “Unfortunately, the current NRC fee model limits innovation by constraining the agency’s resources and discouraging nuclear innovators early in the project lifecycle.”

The legislation has garnered industry support.

“Advanced nuclear energy can make a significant and timely contribution to climate protection and this legislation recognizes the benefits of advanced reactor development and deployment as a public good,” said Judi Greenwald, Executive Director of the Nuclear Innovation Alliance.

Stephen G. Burns, Senior Visiting Fellow at national think tank Third Way, said the bill would help spur innovation as new advanced reactor designs come up for regulatory approval. “It also helps the NRC innovate and adapt its licensing process without undue focus on the fee system as the NRC reviews these new designs and works toward establishing a technology-neutral framework as required by NEIMA,” said Burns, a former chairman and commissioner of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, referring to the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act, which became law in 2019.