CAPITO AND CARPER LEAD NEW BIPARTISAN NUCLEAR BILL: A bipartisan group of senators announced a new bill this morning that would facilitate more U.S. nuclear energy diplomacy around the world and seek to cut down on regulatory hurdles at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission that slow the licensing of new reactors.
The bill, led by Sens. Shelley Moore Capito, Tom Carper, and Sheldon Whitehouse, would establish a joint initiative involving the Commerce Department and Energy Department to work with nations seeking to develop advanced nuclear energy programs.
It would also require the NRC to “periodically review and assess performance metrics and milestone schedules to ensure licensing can be completed on an efficient schedule,” according to a summary.
Other cosponsors include Sens. Cory Booker, Martin Heinrich, and John Barrasso.
Pro-nuclear members of Congress, including Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Joe Manchin, have sought to make the U.S. more competitive on nuclear around the world, and U.S. reactor developers are facing off against international competitors for their share of the growing nuclear pie.
Saudi Arabia is currently looking at bids from reactor developers, none of which is American, wanting to build the oil giant’s first nuclear power plant. Bidders include China National Nuclear Corp., EDF, Korea Electric Power Co., and Russia’s Rosatom.