Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
Passed in House
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Atomic Energy Advancement Act

This bill establishes various requirements to accelerate the deployment of nuclear energy technologies, such as advanced nuclear reactors.

Specifically, the bill sets forth requirements that direct the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to efficiently license and regulate nuclear energy activities. The bill also revises the NRC's hiring process to enable the NRC to respond to a severe shortage of candidates or a critical hiring need by using direct hiring for certain positions to carry out NRC's responsibilities and activities in a timely, efficient, and effective manner.

It also reduces certain licensing fees charged by the NRC for advanced nuclear reactors. Further, it authorizes the Department of Energy (DOE) to make awards that pay for certain licensing fees.

Additionally, the bill directs the NRC to promulgate a final rule that implements a process to facilitate efficient and timely environmental reviews of nuclear reactor applications.

The NRC must also develop and implement strategies to enable efficient and timely licensing reviews for, and to support the oversight of, nuclear facilities at brownfield sites, including sites with retired fossil fuel facilities.

Next, the bill sets forth requirements for expediting certain licensing decisions for new nuclear reactors that will use a previously licensed design and will be on or adjacent to a site on which a nuclear reactor already operates or previously operated.

It also authorizes DOE to establish a pilot program under which DOE may make certain long-term power purchase agreements for power generated by commercial nuclear reactors.

Finally, the bill establishes requirements concerning international nuclear energy cooperation and safety.

Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo advance the benefits of nuclear energy by enabling efficient, timely, and predictable licensing, regulation, and deployment of nuclear energy technologies, and for other purposes.

Policy Areas
Energy

Potential Impact
Advanced technology and technological innovations
Building construction
Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Congressional oversight
Electric power generation and transmission
Employee benefits and pensions
Employee hiring
Energy prices
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government studies and investigations
Industrial facilities
International organizations and cooperation
Licensing and registrations
Nuclear power
Performance measurement
Pollution liability
Public contracts and procurement
Radioactive wastes and releases
Technology transfer and commercialization
Trade agreements and negotiations
User charges and fees

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary3/1/2024

Atomic Energy Advancement Act

This bill establishes various requirements to accelerate the deployment of nuclear energy technologies, such as advanced nuclear reactors.

Specifically, the bill sets forth requirements that dire...


Latest Action2/29/2024
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.