Senate committee advances nuclear tech bill introduced by Idaho Sens. Crapo, Risch | State
A U.S. Senate committee Wednesday passed a bipartisan bill co-sponsored by Idaho senators aimed at boosting the development of new nuclear technologies.
According to a press release, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works voted 16 to 3 in favor of the 2023 Versatile Advanced Nuclear Adoption Acceleration Act for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act. Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Lish introduced the bill in March, along with sponsor Senator Sherry Moore Capito (R, West Virginia).
Crapo and Lish are among 16 co-sponsors, including Republican Senator Lindsay Graham of South Carolina. Cory Booker, Democrat, New Jersey. John Barrasso, Republican, Wyoming. and Mark Kelly, Democrat, Arizona.
“Idaho is home to the world’s leading Idaho National Laboratory, a facility dedicated to advancing international nuclear competitiveness through research, innovation and workforce development,” Crapo said in a statement. “The ADVANCE Act demonstrates bipartisan support for continued investment in nuclear energy to strengthen national security, diversify the energy portfolio and grow the economy.”
Senator Jim Risch
AP Photo/Susan Walsh, Poole, Files
S.1111 Reduce the regulatory costs of licensing advanced reactor technology, create incentives for the successful introduction of next-generation reactors, and encourage the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to move toward timely licensing of nuclear installations. You will be asked to develop a route. brownfield sight — It’s a polluted place.
The bill also authorizes funding to help clean up derelict mining pits on tribal lands.
This will allow the NRC to lead an international forum for the development of advanced nuclear reactor regulations and establish a joint Commerce and Energy Department initiative to facilitate outreach to countries seeking to develop advanced nuclear programs. become.
“With the passage of the ADVANCE Act through the Commission, we are one step closer to facilitating the development and deployment of advanced nuclear technology,” Risch said in a release. “Idaho’s own INL has long been a leader in nuclear research, and this bill will further unlock nuclear’s enormous clean energy potential.”
The 83-page law also makes a number of changes to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, aimed at improving its efficiency and strengthening the country’s nuclear fuel cycle and supply chain infrastructure.
This law 2020 DOE Report It found the county’s industrial nuclear supply capacity declining.
