A bipartisan bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) to establish requirements concerning international nuclear energy cooperation and safety is headed to the president to be signed into law as part of larger legislation.
“I’m proud that our bipartisan bill to strengthen the United States’ nuclear energy sector will soon be the law of the land,” Rep. Carter said on June 18. “With this bill, not only will we strengthen our own energy sector, but we will also expand access to American nuclear technologies to our allies, helping build sustainable, reliable baseload energy grids around the globe.”
Provisions from the Global Nuclear Energy Assessment and Cooperation Act, H.R. 995, which Rep. Carter introduced in February 2023 alongside lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA), are included in the Fire Grants and Safety Act of 2023, S. 870, which authorizes appropriations for the U.S. Fire Administration and firefighter assistance grant programs, and advances the benefits of nuclear energy.
“The United States continues to demonstrate leadership in the clean energy expansion, and I thank Rep. Peters for his support,” said Rep. Carter.
Specifically, his legislation will promote improved international cooperation and assistance relating to nuclear reactors; help build nuclear regulatory organizations or legal frameworks in other nations; counter foreign competitors like Russia and China; prohibit the import of fuels from foreign adversaries; and bolster the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s international efforts by facilitating the issuing of licenses to import or export nuclear reactors, according to a bill summary provided by the congressman’s office.
“Nuclear energy is essential to a clean, resilient, and reliable electric grid and represents the largest source of zero-carbon electricity in the United States,” said Rep. Peters. “Our Global Nuclear Energy Assessment and Cooperation Act bolsters our nuclear energy sector while inhibiting our adversaries’ nuclear capabilities, including China and Russia. I thank Rep. Carter for his leadership and collaboration in this space.”
The measure is supported by ClearPath Action.