Bipartisan legislation sponsored by U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) to support development and deployment of new nuclear technologies, passed the U.S. Senate on June 18 as part of a larger bill that now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law.
The Senate voted 88-2 to approve the bipartisan Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act, S. 1111, which Sen. Capito introduced in March 2023 alongside nine original cosponsors, including U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), as part of the Fire Grants and Safety Act, S. 870. Sen. Capito had cosponsored the Fire Grants and Safety Act with U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), also in March 2023.
“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,” Sen. Capito said on Tuesday. “This bipartisan piece of legislation will encourage more innovation and investment in nuclear technologies right here on our shores.”
She said that the bill also directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to more efficiently carry out its 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,” said Sen. Capito.
Among several provisions, the ADVANCE Act will empower the NRC to lead in international forums to develop regulations for advanced nuclear reactors; support the development and deployment of new nuclear energy technologies by reducing regulatory costs for companies seeking to license them; modernize rules that restrict international investment; and task the NRC to evaluate advanced manufacturing techniques to build nuclear reactors better, faster, cheaper, and smarter, according to a summary provided by Sen. Capito’s office.
“This is another successful bipartisan effort to boost the deployment of zero-emission nuclear power and shore up America’s longstanding global leadership in nuclear energy,” said Sen. Whitehouse. “Advancing the development of the next generation of nuclear reactors is a win for the planet, and passage of this bill marks the next step in bringing new, safe reactors online.”