Congress passes bipartisan bill to boost advanced nuclear energy

The House voted Friday to make it easier to deploy advanced nuclear reactors. The bipartisan bill, approved by voice vote, is aimed at boosting nuclear energy and would modernize the federal government’s approval process for advanced reactors.

The approval comes a day after the Senate did the same. President Trump is expected to sign the bill.

“This legislation will create more certainty for nuclear plant operations, without compromising safety or government oversight, and encourage greater investment for the next generation of nuclear power,” said cosponsors Reps. Greg Walden, R-Ore., and Fred Upton, R-Mich. “We look forward to the president signing this important, bipartisan legislation into law.”

The legislation directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to create a licensing process for advanced reactors that is less prescriptive, allowing for faster approvals.

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Sounds good, but Pelosi will quash it next month when she takes power.