Bipartisan Senate bill introduced to modernize nuclear energy regulation
U.S. Sens. James Inhofe (R-OK), Michael Crapo (R-ID), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) jointly introduced the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act, S.B. 2795, on Wednesday.
The bill seeks to address the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) fee structure and processes and includes provisions intended to accelerate the NRC’s licensing of advanced reactors.
The legislation directs the NRC to develop a licensing process for advanced nuclear reactors that can use the existing regulatory framework by 2018 and to complete a technology-inclusive framework for more advanced reactor designs by 2023.
The bill’s introduction was welcomed by many industry organizations, including the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI).
“The legislation would transform the nuclear regulatory commission’s fee recovery structure so that it is equitable and will drive more efficient agency operations,” Maria Korsnick, chief operating officer at NEI, said. “Reforming the NRC’s fee recovery structure is well justified and timely. Although the NRC is moving in the right direction with its Project Aim program to improve agency performance and reduce costs, it should take more aggressive efficiency and cost-saving measures.”
