Biden enacts legislation to boost nuclear energy

President Biden signed the ADVANCE Act to expedite the deployment of advanced nuclear reactors, aiming to enhance nuclear technology as a zero-carbon energy source.

Zach Bright reports for E&E News.

In short:

The ADVANCE Act aims to streamline permitting, enhance resources for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and promote global nuclear deployment.
Implementation may be impacted by the current vacancy on the NRC, which could depend on the 2025 presidential election outcome.
The legislation signifies a shift in NRC's mission to support nuclear industry growth, raising concerns about regulatory independence.

Key quote:

"If this mythology that nuclear power is completely safe — that it doesn’t need to be heavily regulated — takes hold, we could see a whole generation of really dangerous experimental nuclear facilities being licensed and built around the world."

— Edwin Lyman, director of nuclear power safety at the Union of Concerned Scientists

Why this matters:

Advanced nuclear reactors promise to be safer and more efficient than traditional models, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. With the ADVANCE Act, the federal government is paving the way for accelerated development and implementation of these reactors, potentially transforming the energy landscape.

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Biden enacts legislation to boost nuclear energy

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