McSally’s pro-nuclear energy bill poised for Senate action

Committee action in the U.S. Senate on Tuesday moved a bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Sen. Martha McSally (R-AZ) to the full chamber, which placed the measure on its legislative calendar for consideration.

The bipartisan Nuclear Energy Renewal Act of 2019, S. 2368, which Sen. McSally cosponsored in July with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Christopher Coons (D-DE), would support the licensing and relicensing of certain nuclear facilities and nuclear energy research, demonstration and development, among other provisions, according to the bill’s text.

The bill on Dec. 17 was amended and passed by the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which advanced it to the full Senate.

Sen. McSally, the lead original cosponsor of S. 2368, touted the bill during a recent tour of the Tonopah, Ariz.-based Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, the nation’s largest nuclear power plant located about 45 miles west of downtown Phoenix near the Gila River.

“I’ve introduced legislation to enhance the long-term sustainability of nuclear plants like Palo Verde to ensure the U.S. continues to lead the world in a true all-of-the-above energy approach,” Sen. McSally told Palo Verde employees, according to the lawmaker’s staff.

The plant “is essential to our nation’s clean energy strategy,” she said.

If enacted, the legislation would direct the U.S. Secretary of the Department of Energy to establish and enhance programs to help reduce the operation and maintenance costs of U.S. nuclear power plants, and expand advanced modeling and simulation tools, according to the lawmaker’s office.

“After touring the facility, I am even more impressed with the innovative work being done here to create a bright future for the United States,” Sen. McSally said.