GOP, Democrats join forces to advance nuclear power bill

Nuclear energy appears to be an area where Democrats and Republicans can find agreement, as they advanced legislation Wednesday to update regulations and drive more advanced nuclear power plants into the market.

The Nuclear Power Modernization Act would help simplify the federal permitting process for new reactor designs at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the federal government’s lead nuclear reactor watchdog and regulator. It also would make the commission’s budget more transparent, especially on the fees it charges power plant operators.