NEWS RELEASE

NEI Commends Senate Energy Committee For Spurring Development of Small Reactors

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee today approved “The Nuclear Power 2021 Act” (S. 512 ), which authorizes the Secretary of Energy to implement a cost-shared government-industry program to develop and demonstrate small reactor designs. The bill, approved by voice vote, has strong bipartisan support. The following is a statement from Alex Flint, the Nuclear Energy Institute’s senior vice president for governmental affairs.

“We welcome the strong bipartisan support for legislation that will spur development of advanced nuclear energy technology to meet America’s future electricity needs. Senators Bingaman and Murkowski clearly recognize the role for safe and secure small reactors in America’s energy portfolio that promotes diversity of supply options and greater energy independence. Small-scale reactors have tremendous potential for development in the United States and abroad. This program—modeled on the highly successful Nuclear Power 2010 program to develop large reactor designs—will help achieve that potential while advancing U.S. technology and creating jobs here at home.

“NEI has concerns about certain provisions of the bill as approved by the committee. Those provisions need to be addressed as the legislation progresses to ensure that the legislation enhances the existing industry-supported small reactor program at the Department of Energy. The industry will continue to work with members of the Senate to modify the legislation to make the program as efficient and effective as possible.”