WASHINGTON, D.C.—Within the House-passed National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 is a bipartisan amendment, introduced by Reps. Scott Peters (D-Calif.), Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), and Donald Norcross (D-N.J.), which directs the secretary of energy to develop a report on a pilot program for deploying advanced reactor technology at critical national security facilities.
Earlier this week the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy held a hearing on a discussion draft of the amendment, and members of both parties expressed support. Today, Congress sent a powerful bipartisan message to the nation about the utility and viability that innovative nuclear designs hold in the years ahead. Following is a statement from Maria Korsnick, the Nuclear Energy Institute’s president and chief executive officer:
“Today, the exciting promise of advanced reactors took one enormous step closer to becoming reality with bipartisan support on Capitol Hill to pursue the siting, construction and operation of an advanced reactor to provide resilient power to our country’s critical national security locations. Lawmakers have identified the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and the U.S. Department of Energy as key, supportive government partners for small and micro-reactor technology in the years ahead.
“The next 10 years are a critical time for the U.S. nuclear industry to begin transitioning to a wider range of reactor types, including small and advanced reactors. Luckily, the nation is blessed with a plethora of innovative talent, with dozens of technology developers, suppliers and the national laboratory system working hard to bring these cutting-edge designs to market.
“Small reactors could bring electricity to remote, rural communities or military bases. We in industry have long believed that the government could be a customer for power purchase agreements involving advanced reactors, and today’s vote in the House of Representatives confirms that lawmakers too are keenly interested in attempting to ensure resiliency of critical national security facilities with advanced, clean nuclear technology. Once they’re built, small and micro-reactors could provide resilient, reliable carbon-free power for the Department of Defense, DOE and agencies across the federal family.”