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 revise its regulations that “limit” DOE’s existing authority.
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.
“Electricity demand is rising at a pace we haven’t seen in generations,” Lee said. “We can meet that demand, or we can fall behind. The biggest obstacle is our inability to build. To meet demand, we must accelerate the development of nuclear energy by removing regulatory barriers, unlocking federal resources, and creating a path from demonstration to deployment.”