Congressman Brett Guthrie and Congressman Bob Latta have announced a hearing titled “American Energy Dominance: Dawn of the New Nuclear Era.” The event, scheduled for January 7, 2026, at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C., will focus on the current state of nuclear energy in the United States. It aims to discuss licensing, deployment, and the implementation of recent federal laws and policies supporting nuclear industry growth.
“Nuclear energy provides affordable and reliable power to our grid while generating the largest portion of carbon-free electricity in the United States,” said Chairmen Guthrie and Latta. They emphasized that this hearing would address vital issues concerning energy and security needs.
Dr. John C. Wagner from Idaho National Laboratory testified about the emergence of a new nuclear era crucial for American energy dominance. He highlighted that increased electricity demand from sectors like data centers and artificial intelligence necessitates reliable power sources. Dr. Wagner noted that national security needs align with political efforts to remove barriers to nuclear deployment.
The U.S. administration has set ambitious goals to expand nuclear capacity significantly by 2050, including deploying advanced microreactors and small modular reactors (SMRs). Executive orders aim to bring three reactors online by July 4, 2026.
Dr. Wagner pointed out challenges posed by China and Russia’s dominance in global nuclear construction. He stressed that reestablishing U.S. leadership is essential for projecting American values globally.
Recent legislative actions have supported these goals, such as the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act establishing authority within the Department of Defense for nuclear deployment and creating a Navy SMR pilot program. The ADVANCE Act of 2024 modernized regulatory processes, while other legislation bolstered domestic fuel production and provided financial incentives for new projects.
These combined efforts reflect bipartisan recognition of nuclear energy’s role in national security, economic competitiveness, grid reliability, and clean energy objectives.
For more information on this hearing or press inquiries, contact Calvin Huggins or Ben Mullany via email.
