Nuclear Energy Institute VP Flint welcomes new nuclear energy legislation

Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) Senior Vice President for Governmental Affairs Alex Flint commended Congress on Thursday following the advancement of two new nuclear technology bills.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee approved the Advanced Nuclear Technology Development Act of 2016, H.R. 4979, on Thursday by a voice vote, while the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee passed the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act (S. 2795) by a vote of 17-3.

The Advanced Nuclear Technology Development Act seeks to promote the advancement of nuclear technology as a carbon-free technology in the U.S. clean energy portfolio. The Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act has similar in objective, while also addressing the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s fee structure by decreasing the organization’s reliance on industry contributions through fees and by restructuring the organization’s corporate budget.

“Both bills include provisions that add urgency to the development of an efficient, predictable licensing framework for advanced reactor technologies,” Flint said. “They also recognize the value of the public-private partnership to leverage the significant investments already being made in advanced reactor designs and help bring them to market. This action will help maintain America’s global leadership in nuclear power.”

Flint also said that the approval of both bills showed common ground through which Congress can shape new nuclear energy programs to expand the development of the carbon-free energy source.