Coming out of Sen. Jim Inhofe’s Senate Environment and Public Works Committee—a bipartisan Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act. The measure will create a new licensing framework for advanced reactors at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Sen. Inhofe, chairman of the Committee, was jointed by Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Mike Crap (R-ID) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) in authoring the measure that won support on a 17 to 3 vote this week.
“Tradition nuclear power plants have long provided our nation with carbon-free, reliable, safe, and affordable energy and this bill plays an important in an all-of-the-above energy plan for our nation,” said the Senator. “This bill provides a much needed modernization of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission that increases transparency and accountability to NRC’s budget and fee programs.”
He explained the bill will also allow taxpayers to gain better insight to how the agency is using taxpayer dollars and other resources.
The bill heads to the full Senate for a vote.
“I’m proud to join Senators Booker, Whitehouse and Crapo in advancing the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization act, a bipartisan bill that will provide the regulatory structure our country needs to produce safe, advanced nuclear energy,” said Inhofe.