On July 9, 2024, in Washington, D.C., a significant advance was made in the U.S. nuclear industry with President Biden’s enactment of the Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act. Garnering strong bipartisan support, the legislation passed with resounding approval in both the Senate (88-2) and the House (393-13). Key figures such as U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, EPW Chairman Tom Carper, and Representatives Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Frank Pallone, Jr. were instrumental in driving the bill.
Leaders from the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee praised the ADVANCE Act as a pivotal boost for nuclear energy in America, highlighting its potential to enhance the national grid, the economy, and environmental health. They noted that the new law would enhance national security, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and generate substantial employment while maintaining the safety of this clean energy source.
The ADVANCE Act sets out to fortify America’s energy leadership, ensuring the deployment of safe and dependable nuclear power. E&C Ranking Member Pallone remarked that the Act would help diminish reliance on fossil fuels, thus strengthening energy independence and economic stability.
Outlined by the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works, the Act’s major provisions include empowering the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to lead in international nuclear regulations, streamlining licensing processes for new technologies, and fostering the development of advanced nuclear infrastructure. The Act also aims to modernize existing nuclear energy systems and improve the efficiency of the NRC’s resource management, ensuring a robust and predictable regulatory environment.
For further details, the full text of the ADVANCE Act within S.870 can be accessed here.