WASHINGTON, D.C. – Nuclear power’s expansion in the United States hinges upon a strong and independent regulator, witnesses told a House subcommittee Wednesday morning.
Democratic lawmakers on the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on Energy expressed misgivings about nuclear safety and the independence of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) under President Donald Trump’s White House.
But witnesses from the nuclear industry and the Department of Energy expressed confidence that NRC remains a strong independent regulator.
During the questions and answers section of the hearing, Subcommittee Chair Bob Latta (R-Ohio) said the success of the nuclear industry will require a robust workforce and collaboration between DOE and NRC.
Under questioning from Latta, the Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Director John Wagner said DOE and NRC have collaborated well together while working within their respective responsibilities.
The companies selected under DOE reactor pilot program have been working with the DOE under its authorization while NRC is engaging in that process to understand those reactor technologies when it comes to NRC for its respective review, Wagner said.
Ranking Member Kathy Castor (D-Fla.) voiced apprehensions about whether Trump’s administration will follow through with its push on nuclear energy.
“Nuclear power requires continuity and certainty, which is actively being undermined by this administration’s reckless and illegal attacks on energy projects and the independence of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which oversees the safety of our nuclear plants,” Castor said in her opening remarks.
In addition to Wagner, other witnesses taking part in the hearing were Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) President and CEO Maria Korsnick, Senior Vice President of Technical Services and External Affairs at Southern Company John Williams, and Nuclear Innovation Alliance President and CEO Judi Greenwald.