The U.S. Senate has voted overwhelmingly to pass significant legislation aimed at strengthening the country’s nuclear energy sector, with the bill receiving a resounding 88-2 vote. The only dissenting votes came from Senators Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). This nuclear package was combined with another bill that reauthorizes the U.S. Fire Administration and grant programs for firefighters, and it is now set to be sent to the president for approval.
The legislation is designed to expedite the approval process for constructing new nuclear plants, particularly as many existing facilities approach the end of their operational lives. Key provisions include reducing licensing fees for power companies initiating projects and requiring the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to prepare a report on simplifying and speeding up the environmental review process.
Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) expressed optimism about the bill’s potential impact, particularly regarding small modular reactors, which are seen as the future of nuclear energy. “Hopefully it will be history-making in terms of small modular reactors,” she told reporters before the vote.
Supporters of the measure argue that it represents a significant boost for the nuclear power sector, facilitating the approval process for new projects. Lesley Jantarasami, managing director of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s energy program, noted that the legislation would streamline the approval process for the industry.
However, the bill has faced criticism. Edwin Lyman, director of nuclear power safety at the Union of Concerned Scientists, raised concerns about a provision that alters the NRC’s mission to prevent it from “unnecessarily” restricting nuclear power. He warned that this could lead to challenges against the commission’s decisions, potentially undermining nuclear safety and security.
In the House, the bipartisan nuclear-fire bill also advanced with a vote of 393-13-1. Representative Rashida Tlaib, a progressive Democrat from Michigan, voted “present” to express her support for the firefighting provisions while opposing the nuclear aspects of the bill. She criticized the decision to tie essential firefighting program reauthorization to provisions that could undermine nuclear safety.
Advocates for nuclear power argue that it can satisfy both energy generation and environmental concerns, as nuclear plants produce steam without emitting pollutants. While there are ongoing discussions about the safe storage of nuclear waste, the U.S. has not experienced any accidents involving the spillage of spent nuclear fuel.
As of August 1, 2023, there were 93 nuclear reactors operating across 54 nuclear power plants in 28 states, contributing approximately 20% of the nation’s electricity needs. The U.S. leads the world in nuclear electricity generation capacity, with France following as the second-largest producer. In fact, France generates about 68% of its total annual electricity from nuclear energy, highlighting the potential for nuclear power to play a significant role in meeting energy demands while addressing climate change.
