Sens. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Dave McCormick (R-Penn.) have introduced a bill this week that looks to expand the Department of Energy’s ability to accelerate the deployment of advanced nuclear technology
The bill, Nuclear Energy Innovation and Deployment Act, was introduced to the Senate on Tuesday. The senators said in the press release that the legislation will address “long-standing regulatory and structural barriers” and allow for DOE to authorize reactors on federal land. It will also direct the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to amend its regulations that “limit” DOE’s existing authority.
Under the bill, NRC would be required to revise certain rules and sections in the Code of Federal Regulations, to remove limitations on what the energy secretary can do outside of federal land or sites. These changes must be completed within one year of the enactment of the act, according to the document.
The bill also looks to create what it calls Nuclear Launch Pad Zones designated for private companies to accelerate and demonstrate new reactor technologies on federal and non-federal land.
Along with the launch pad zones, the DOE assistant secretary of nuclear energy should “provide a pathway for testing and demonstrating the commercial feasibility of advanced nuclear technologies by eligible private entities under the authorities of the department at non-federal sites, which, on completion of the pathway,” according to the document.
DOE unveiled plans for the Launch Pad initiative last month and it will be operated by the National Reactor Innovation Center.
The bill comes as the United States searches for new avenues to bring more nuclear power online amid growing energy demands and to keep global competitors, such as China and Russia, the senators said. Through modernizing and clarifying DOE’s authority, the lawmakers said the bill would bridge the gap between first-of-a-kind reactor development and widespread commercialization.