Charleston Leader

Today, the Senate voted to pass bipartisan legislation authored by U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, EPW Chairman Tom Carper (D-Del.), and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) that will provide a major boost to the future of nuclear energy in America.

The Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act, which the senators introduced in March 2023, passed as part of the Fire Grants and Safety Act (S.870) by a vote of 88-2 and will now head to the president’s desk to be signed into law.

“Today, we sent the ADVANCE Act to the president’s desk because Congress worked together to recognize the importance of nuclear energy to America’s future and got the job done,” Ranking Member Capito said. “This bipartisan piece of legislation will encourage more innovation and investment in nuclear technologies right here on our shores. It also directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to more efficiently carry out its important regulatory mission and helps redevelop conventional energy sites for future nuclear energy projects. I’m proud the work we put into this legislation over many years is coming to fruition, and excited to mark a significant achievement for clean, reliable nuclear power.”

“In a major victory for our climate and American energy security, the U.S. Senate has passed the ADVANCE Act with overwhelming bipartisan support,” Chairman Carper said. “For years, I have worked with Senators Capito and Whitehouse on this legislation to accelerate the deployment of our nation’s largest source of carbon-free electricity: nuclear energy. The ADVANCE Act will provide the Nuclear Regulatory Commission with the tools and workforce it needs to review new nuclear technologies efficiently while maintaining NRC’s critical safety mission and creating thousands of jobs. With the President’s signature, the ADVANCE Act will become law and lay the foundation for deploying advanced reactors in coming decades.”

“This is another successful bipartisan effort to boost zero-emission nuclear power deployment and shore up America’s longstanding global leadership in nuclear energy," Senator Whitehouse said. "The ADVANCE Act will strengthen our nuclear workforce, assist in deploying new advanced reactors by lowering barriers in regulatory processes, and facilitate reusing Brownfield sites aiding coal-to-nuclear transition. Advancing next-generation reactor development is a win for our planet; passage marks another step toward bringing new safe reactors online."

The ADVANCE Act will:

Facilitate American Nuclear Energy Leadership by:

- Empowering NRC to lead international forums developing regulations for advanced reactors.

- Directing DOE to improve its process approving exportation of American technology internationally while maintaining strong non-proliferation standards.

Support Development & Deployment of New Technologies by:

- Reducing regulatory costs licensing advanced reactor technologies.

- Creating prizes incentivizing successful next-gen reactor deployments.

- Requiring NRC develop pathways enabling timely microreactor licensing at brownfield/retired fossil-fuel sites.

- Directing NRC establish accelerated reviews constructing reactors at existing sites.

Preserve Existing Nuclear Energy by:

- Modernizing outdated rules restricting international investment.

Strengthen Fuel Cycle & Supply Chain Infrastructure by:

- Directing NRC enhance abilities qualifying/licensing accident-tolerant fuels increasing safety/economic competitiveness existing/next-gen reactors.

- Tasking NRC evaluate advanced manufacturing techniques building better/faster/cheaper/smarter reactors.

Improve Commission Resources & Efficiency by:

- Providing flexibility better managing/investing resources supporting modernization efforts/address staffing issues.

- Giving NRC Chair tools hiring exceptionally well-qualified individuals reviewing applications safely/successfully.

- Requiring updated Mission Statement reflecting modern beneficial use material/energy.

- Mandating streamlined NEPA environmental review process.

Full text can be found within S.870 on page 4.

Ranking Member Capito's floor remarks ahead of voting are available here.

Ranking Member Capito's earlier press conference remarks are available here.

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