This week, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., introduced five proposals focused on nuclear energy.
With these new proposals, Donalds has introduced 20 proposals this year focusing on nuclear energy.
Donalds introduced the “Advanced Nuclear Feasibility Act,” the “Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS) Reform Act,” the “Nuclear Red Tape Reduction Act, the “Leverage Obligated Appropriations for Advanced Nuclear (LOAN) Act” and the “Provide Logistical Airport Aid Via Advanced Nuclear Energy (PLANE) Act” this week.
“Throughout the first seven months of the 118th Congress, I have worked hard to elevate the role of nuclear within the arsenal of American energy. Not only is nuclear the cleanest and greenest source of energy at our country’s disposal, but it is an invaluable asset that we must utilize in order to efficiently power the future of our nation. My now twenty-bill and growing, nuclear energy legislative package promotes this critical and under-utilized solution to America’s current and future energy demands,” Donalds said.
“My five most recent bills seek to facilitate the licensing and deployment of advanced nuclear reactors, reduce licensing costs, slash unnecessary bureaucratic red tape, and establish regulatory clarity. They also include provisions to bolster efficiency and effectiveness within the nuclear energy industry by consolidating and streamlining various antiquated processes. Most importantly, I offered a proposal to encourage airports to consider using microreactors for back-up power in the case of natural disasters. As Southwest Florida’s representative in the halls of Congress, the constant threat of hurricanes is an all-too-real threat for our community. Nuclear energy provides practical and commonsense solutions for our community, our state, and our nation. I look forward to further exploring the benefits of this technology,” the congressman added.
The Advanced Nuclear Feasibility Act “establishes a competitive program to fund feasibility studies to license and deploy advanced nuclear reactors.” The bill was sent to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee.
The Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS) Reform Act “modernizes the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS) to streamline Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensing” and was also sent to the Energy and Commerce Committee.
The Nuclear Red Tape Reduction Act “maximizes the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) risk-informed and performance-based approach and eliminates mandatory hearings for non-contested applications” and was also sent to the Energy and Commerce Committee.
The Leverage Obligated Appropriations for Advanced Nuclear (LOAN) Act “allows DOE ARDP recipients increased access to the $350+ billion currently remaining in DOE LPO loan authority.” The bill was sent to the Energy and Commerce Committee and the U.S. House Science, Space, and Technology Committee.
The Provide Logistical Airport Aid Via Advanced Nuclear Energy (PLANE) Act “updates Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) guidance and encourages airports to consider using microreactors for back-up power in the case of natural disasters” and was sent to the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure and the Energy and Commerce Committees.
So far, there are no co-sponsors for any of the bills and no companion measures in the U.S. Senate.
