Last Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Atomic Energy Advancement Act, which is poised to bolster efforts to increase nuclear energy in the country. I know what you’re thinking: “What does that mean?” “Will this do anything?” “Who exactly is Austin Butler?”
I’m happy to explain the answers to those first two questions, but we’re going to have to find out about Austin together.
In short, the bill will make the review process more efficient and decrease the fees paid by advanced reactor license applicants. This will improve our ability to get more nuclear reactors approved and on the grid more quickly, allowing us to make major strides towards decarbonizing our country and improving our national security.
Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO), who sponsored the bill, said of it:
Tackling the climate crisis means we must modernize our approach to all clean energy sources, including nuclear. From enhancing our energy supply chain to recruiting a highly trained and skilled workforce, this bill makes critical updates to improve safety and ensure our nuclear regulations are up to date, pushing us closer to a carbon-free energy future.
As we head into the first Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels with the IAEA, the United States will be able to discuss this legislation and the strides being made by legislators to make the U.S. even more competitive in the global nuclear energy industry.
This bill also helps to extend the Price Anderson Act — essentially an insurance policy for operating power plants —that is needed to spur new innovation and technologies. This will also strengthen today’s nuclear workforce by reducing the fees needed for advanced reactor companies licensing new technology.
Representative Jeff Duncan (R-SC), another sponsor of the bill, added:
I’ve worked tirelessly in Congress to preserve America’s nuclear fleet and increase nuclear power generation through meaningful reforms—the Atomic Energy Advancement Act does just that. The Atomic Energy Advancement Act restores American leadership in nuclear energy and technology which is critical to our economic and national security. I’m proud to lead the most significant update to nuclear energy policy in the United States in over a generation.
Energy independence is paramount to national security and vice versa. To have one, we need the other. Between things like the NDAA, increasing our domestic HAELU production, and this legislation, the US will be able to maintain and increase its position as a global clean energy leader as countries like Russia and China continue to innovate in the nuclear space.
However, there is one thing that China and Russia don’t have: Austin Butler. I don’t know who that is, but I do know he’s a celebrity. And he will help to set us apart. Maybe. I don’t know.
