East Idaho Times

U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch (both R-Idaho) have expressed their approval following the Senate's passage of legislation aimed at advancing nuclear technology development and deployment, thereby reinforcing American leadership in the sector. The Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act, co-sponsored by Crapo and Risch, was included in the Fire Grants and Safety Act and received broad support in the Senate.

"The Fire Grants and Safety Act funds vital programs for Idaho's EMS and firefighters in urban, suburban, and rural communities," said Crapo. "Additionally, I am pleased the ADVANCE Act will be enacted through this legislation, as it continues necessary investments in nuclear energy. This strengthens national security, diversifies our energy portfolio, and grows the economy."

“The sentiment and demand for nuclear energy is at its highest in decades. We must ensure red tape does not prevent investment and innovation in new technologies,” said Risch. “The ADVANCE Act’s passage in the Senate will streamline permitting and deployment of advanced nuclear reactors and strengthen our existing fleet.”

The ADVANCE Act includes several key provisions:

Facilitate American Nuclear Leadership:

- Empowers the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to lead international forums to develop regulations for advanced nuclear reactors.

- Directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to improve its process to approve the export of American technology to international markets.

Develop and Deploy New Nuclear Technologies:

- Reduces regulatory costs for companies seeking to license advanced nuclear reactor technologies.

- Creates a prize to incentivize the successful deployment of next-generation reactor technologies.

- Requires the NRC to develop a pathway to enable timely licensing of nuclear facilities at brownfield and retired fossil-fuel energy generation sites.

- Directs the NRC to establish an accelerated licensing review process for reactors at existing nuclear sites.

Preserve Existing Nuclear Energy:

- Modernizes outdated rules that restrict international investment.

Strengthen America’s Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Supply Chain Infrastructure:

- Directs the NRC to enhance preparedness to qualify and license advanced nuclear fuels.

- Tasks the NRC with identifying and incorporating advanced manufacturing techniques to build nuclear reactors more efficiently.

Improve Commission Efficiency:

- Provides flexibility for the NRC to budget and manage organizational support activities effectively.

- Equips the NRC Chair with tools to hire exceptionally well-qualified individuals for reviewing advanced nuclear reactor licenses.

- Requires updates to the NRC Mission Statement reflecting modern beneficial uses of nuclear material.

- Mandates an efficient licensing structure supporting predictable regulatory reviews.

- Charges the NRC with streamlining NEPA environmental review processes.