Innovation in the nuclear industry is happening across the country—from reactor 'startups' to the cutting edge research being conducted by our national laboratories. But if America—the country with the most reactors in the world—sits back and lets our fleet die off, then that important innovation will die off as well.
In February 2018, Maria testified on how the federal government can help foster nuclear innovation. She laid out six tangible signals policymakers could provide to show they value nuclear power:
- Ensure nuclear power is fairly compensated
- Reform the federal used fuel management program
- Reform the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s fee structure
- Support the timely deployment of accident tolerant fuels, small modular reactors and advanced reactors
- Streamline the nuclear export review process and expand nuclear project finance opportunities
- Provide federal funding for decontamination and decommissioning of legacy gaseous diffusion plants.