Flores’ bipartisan nuclear fuel bill passes House

The U.S. House of Representatives on Dec. 11 approved the bipartisan Advanced Nuclear Fuel Availability Act sponsored by U.S. Rep. Bill Flores (R-TX) to direct the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to develop and deploy certain uranium for domestic commercial use, among other provisions.

“I urge the Senate to pass this important, bipartisan bill so that we can power our 21st century economy in an environmentally friendly way for hardworking American families,” Rep. Flores said following House approval last week.

H.R. 6140 also would authorize DOE’s development of a schedule for recovering the associated costs of developing and deploying high-assay, low-enriched uranium for commercial use in the United States, according to the congressional record summary. The measure is cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-CA).

“American innovators are developing the next generation of nuclear reactors so that our nation can continue to capitalize on nuclear power’s potential as a clean, efficient and reliable source of energy,” Rep. Flores explained on the House floor prior to the chamber’s vote.

H.R. 6140 would establish “a public-private solution to develop, manufacture and transport the next generation fuels to power the advanced nuclear reactors of tomorrow,” he added. “These important advancements will ensure that zero-emission nuclear power continues to provide a meaningful portion of our country’s ‘always-on, baseload’ electricity used in our homes and businesses.”

The U.S. Senate received H.R. 6140 on Dec. 12 and subsequently referred it to the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee for consideration.