Senate Overwhelmingly Passes Bill to Strengthen Nuclear Energy Sector
In a decisive move, the U.S. Senate voted 88-2 to pass legislation aimed at strengthening the country’s nuclear energy sector.
The only dissenting votes came from Sens. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).
The bill, which was combined with legislation reauthorizing the U.S. Fire Administration and firefighter grant programs, will now head to the president’s desk for final approval.
“We need every tool available to tackle the climate crisis with the urgency it demands,” said White House climate adviser Ali Zaidi.
Streamlining Nuclear Energy Development
The measure is designed to accelerate the approval process for new nuclear power plants as many existing facilities near the end of their operational lifespans.
It reduces licensing fees for power companies and mandates that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) explore ways to simplify and expedite environmental reviews.
“Hopefully, this will be a historic step forward for small modular reactors, which represent the future of nuclear energy,” said Sen.
Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) before the Senate vote.
Supporters hail the legislation as a crucial step in boosting the nation’s nuclear power capabilities.
“It facilitates the approval process for companies seeking to build nuclear projects,” said Lesley Jantarasami, managing director of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s energy program.
Debate Over Nuclear Safety
Despite broad bipartisan support, the bill has drawn criticism.
Edwin Lyman, director of nuclear power safety at the Union of Concerned Scientists, raised concerns over provisions that limit the NRC’s ability to impose regulations.
“This could allow the industry to challenge every regulatory decision, potentially paralyzing efforts to enhance nuclear safety and security,” Lyman told The Hill.
House Approval and Political Divisions
The House overwhelmingly passed the bipartisan bill in a 393-13-1 vote. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) voted “present” to express support for the firefighting provisions but objected to the nuclear components.
“I opposed the decision to tie vital firefighter funding to provisions that weaken nuclear safety, which were strongly opposed by grassroots environmental groups,” Tlaib explained.
The Role of Nuclear Power in the U.S. Energy Grid
Nuclear power currently generates about 20% of the nation’s electricity and is often praised for its low emissions.
Advocates argue it enhances energy security while reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Concerns over nuclear waste storage persist, yet the U.S. has never experienced an accident involving the spillage of spent nuclear fuel.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA):
- As of August 1, 2023, 93 nuclear reactors operated at 54 plants across 28 states.
- The U.S. nuclear industry has supplied roughly 20% of the nation’s electricity annually since 1990.
- Globally, 33 countries operate nuclear power plants, with France generating about 68% of its electricity from nuclear energy, the highest share in the world.
With this latest legislative move, the U.S. takes another step toward strengthening its nuclear energy sector while balancing safety concerns and environmental considerations.
