With the 116th Congress being sworn in this week, NEI Senior Director of Federal Programs Bob Powers gives a glimpse of some of the biggest upcoming legislative issues in nuclear energy they’ll face. Here’s some of the things he’ll be sharing with the new Congress.
- The Climate and Clean Energy Debate Needs to Include Nuclear
Our nation’s fleet of reactors produce more than 56 percent of the country’s emissions-free electricity. Climate change conversations are likely to occur in the 116th Congress and we will work to ensure legislators understand the vital importance of both preserving the existing fleet and enabling the nuclear reactors of tomorrow.
In the last few months, a diverse group of companies, environmental groups and nongovernmental organizations has come forward to acknowledge that we will need help from America’s number one emissions-free energy source to find a viable, affordable solution to reducing emissions. That means preserving America’s existing nuclear power plants and building a pathway to licensing and constructing small modular reactors and advanced reactors. - Nuclear Power Plants Are a Key Part of America’s Infrastructure
Infrastructure is more than roads, bridges and ports. It’s also the vast electrical grid. Baseload generating stations like nuclear power plants are an essential part of the infrastructure that provides electricity around-the-clock to America’s homes, businesses and schools. They also provide jobs: America’s nuclear power plants directly employ nearly 100,000 people in high-quality, long-term jobs. This number climbs to 475,000 when you include secondary jobs.
Infrastructure funding is one of the key places Republicans and Democrats could come together. President Trump touted the importance of infrastructure in his campaign and Speaker of the House Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has emphasized the bipartisan potential of infrastructure for the new Congress.
Chronic underinvestment in America’s infrastructure could cost every U.S. family $3,400 per year over the next decade and lead to longer-lasting blackouts. Any deal on infrastructure funding should take into account the importance of preserving our existing nuclear power plants. - Congress Can Boost the Next Generation of Nuclear Power Plants
Advanced nuclear technology (whether it’s the development of new nonlight water reactors, small modular reactors, micro-reactors or advanced fuels) enjoyed bipartisan support in the 115th Congress.
The last Congress saw bipartisan efforts on a variety of legislative initiatives (which resulted in over $2.5 billion in funding for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy in the 115th Congress) seeking to advance the next generation of reactors and fuels. We look forward to ensuring that conversation continues and will also seek to bring even more members of Congress into the conversations about how long-term funding for the research, development and deployment of advanced nuclear technology can bring jobs, boost exports, help the climate and improve America’s national security. - Nuclear Regulation Needs to Be Right-Sized
You would be hard pressed to find any industry in America which takes safety as seriously as the U.S. nuclear industry. U.S. nuclear plants are among the safest and most secure industrial facilities in the country. That being said, NEI and its members continue to see instances of unnecessary and burdensome regulation by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission which bring little safety benefits. While adequate NRC regulation is absolutely necessary, one of our core missions is working with congressional lawmakers to make them aware when regulation crosses the line and adds another layer of bureaucracy without adding significant safety benefits. - It’s Time to End the Used Fuel Stalemate
Despite tens of billions of dollars paid by users of nuclear energy, for two decades the federal government has failed to meet its obligation to pick up the used nuclear fuel safely stored at nuclear plants around the country. This inaction is often cited by policymakers as a reason they can’t support development of the reactors of the future. At its heart, this is a political problem, not a technical one. The time has come to let the science be heard, and we stand ready to work in a bipartisan manner to achieve a path forward based on the industry’s used fuel policy principles. - Nuclear Energy Boosts America’s National Security
Most Americans don’t realize it, but a strong commercial nuclear industry boosts national security. How? America’s nuclear industry expertise has allowed us to set international rules for using nuclear technologies and keeping nuclear materials out of the hands of bad actors. The largest operating fleet and world-leading technologies have let us set the bar for operational and safety practices and nuclear security and nonproliferation norms.
But with Russia and, more recently, China making great strides to develop their nuclear industries, they are poised to take leading roles in the establishment of global nuclear norms and standards in the future. Recently, a group of 77 dignitaries and national security experts signed a letter to Energy Secretary Rick Perry explaining the essential and unique national security benefits of having a strong and growing civil nuclear industry.
We must place a greater value on the national security importance of nuclear energy—and the supply chain that builds and helps maintain nuclear power plants. Congress can help by considering options to protect existing nuclear plants, aiding in the commercialization of technology for the next generation of reactors, and providing U.S. industry with tools to compete in the growing international market for nuclear power. - Nuclear Exports = Jobs at Home
Around the globe, 50 new nuclear power plants are under construction, only two of which are in the United States. Russia and China have made no secret about their plans to develop their commercial nuclear industries, both domestically and for the export market.
If America is to continue to set the global standard for nuclear safety, security and nonproliferation, our companies need to be engaged and successful in the global commercial nuclear marketplace. What’s more, every contract won abroad equals more jobs here at home, for companies ranging from Midwestern manufacturing powerhouses to innovative advanced reactor startups.
Congress can help American companies compete by ensuring there is a timely process to approve nuclear cooperation agreements, increasing the efficiency of export control approvals (Part 810), and ensuring a quorum is reestablished at the Export-Import Bank.
Now is not the time to stand still. Other countries and their governments are not. Congress can play a big role in making sure existing nuclear power plants stay online, that the technologies of the future stay on track and that nuclear exports keep growing. A thriving nuclear industry also allows us to set the terms of debate for nuclear safety and nonproliferation worldwide which boosts national security. Continued, prudent congressional support for nuclear energy means affordable, secure, low-carbon electricity for ratepayers and high-paying jobs for exporters. And that’s great for the economy, the country and the planet.
It’s not a fight we can afford to lose. We will be working hard in the coming two years to work with our partners on Capitol Hill to make this vision a reality.
Bob Powers
Senior Director of Federal Programs
