NEI CEO supports bills for NRC reform and nuclear advancement
Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) President and CEO Marvin Fertel expressed support at a hearing held on Friday for two new bills that would reform the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and further nuclear energy advancement.
The hearing, held by the U.S. House’s Energy and Commerce Committee, examined two new bills and how implementation would impact the NRC and the U.S. nuclear energy portfolio. The bills discussed included the Advanced Nuclear Technology Development Act of 2016, H.R. 4979, and the newly drafted Nuclear Utilization of Keynote Energy Policy Act.
The Advanced Nuclear Technology Development Act of 2016 would require collaboration between the NRC and the U.S. Department of Energy to work toward the advancement of nuclear technology. The bill would work toward new reactor licensing to better encourage advanced reactor development and improved participation from investors and stakeholders.
The Nuclear Utilization of Keynote Energy Policies Act would reorganize the NRC fee structure to improve budget transparency within the organization. It would adjust the NRC budget to allow for the funding of licensing fees and disallow for any fees related to corporate support. It would also force the NRC to specifically request corporate cost coverage before Congress to reduce its budget and improve efficacy.
“We support passage of this bill, which will provide environmental benefits to all Americans by setting the stage for the development of innovative commercial reactor technologies and helping to retain the energy source responsible for 63 percent of the nation’s carbon-free electricity,” Fertel said. “We also appreciate Congressman Kinzinger’s work to reform NRC fees and the regulatory process, and we look forward to working with members of Congress to advance these reforms.”
The NEI was established to further nuclear energy advancement and technology and has more than 350 members internationally.
