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.
