The U.S. Senate has overwhelmingly passed a bill aimed at accelerating the deployment of nuclear energy capacity in the country. The legislation, known as the ADVANCE Act, received broad bipartisan support, with a vote of 88-2.
The bill’s passage is seen as a major victory for both climate change mitigation efforts and energy security. Supporters from both the Democratic and Republican parties view nuclear power as a critical component in decarbonizing the power sector and ensuring a reliable electricity supply.
The ADVANCE Act includes several key provisions designed to spur the development and deployment of advanced nuclear reactor technologies. These measures include reducing regulatory costs for companies seeking to license new reactor designs, creating a prize for successful deployment of next-generation reactors, and streamlining the licensing process for nuclear facilities at certain sites.
The bill’s passage could particularly benefit companies like TerraPower, the Bill Gates-backed venture that is working to build a $4 billion Natrium reactor in Wyoming on the site of a former coal plant. However, the project has faced challenges in securing a key permit, and the ADVANCE Act aims to address such regulatory hurdles.
While the legislation has garnered broad bipartisan support, some non-proliferation groups, including the Union of Concerned Scientists, have raised concerns about measures that could ease licensing for advanced reactors, including those using highly enriched uranium. These groups argue that safety should remain the top priority, even as the industry seeks to expand.
The U.S. nuclear industry has struggled to grow in recent decades due to soaring costs and complex permitting requirements, as well as the difficulties in funding and developing advanced nuclear technologies. The passage of the ADVANCE Act is seen as a significant step in addressing these challenges and unlocking the potential of nuclear power to contribute to the country’s clean energy transition.