Congress is taking up nuclear energy next week when the House science committee discusses increasing funds for research on new reactors.
The panel on Tuesday is set to discuss the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act, which would increase resources for the Department of Energy to put into its Office of Nuclear Energy.
House Science, Space and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith, R-Texas, said the legislation could help lead to the next generation of nuclear energy.
“This legislation enables our talented engineers in the private sector, academia and at the national labs to develop the next generation of nuclear technology here in the United States,” Smith said. “It produces bipartisan long-term R&D investments that will help spur American competitiveness and keep us on the forefront of nuclear energy technology.”
Smith introduced the bill with Rep. Randy Weber, R-Texas, and Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas. Weber is the chairman of the committee’s energy subcommittee and Johnson is the top Democrat on the full committee.
The bill would require the Energy Department to enable private investment for research and development of new nuclear reactor prototypes at national laboratories.
It also lets Department of Energy engineers take advantage of supercomputers to accelerate that research and development, according to Smith. He hopes to see advanced fission and fusion reactor prototypes developed.
The private sector and universities would play a role in the development of the prototypes, Smith said.
Some of the country’s top research universities have already spoken in favor of the bill.
In prepared testimony to the committee last month, Dale Klein, associate vice chancellor for research at the University of Texas system, said he hopes it “kick starts” more federal nuclear policy.
“[This bill] is an important first step toward aligning federal nuclear policies with today’s realities, and if enacted, I believe would create a more collaborative relationship between government and private sector to advance nuclear science and promote innovation,” Klein told the committee.
The bill has support from two of the top Democrats on the committee, with Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla., also supporting the bill. Grayson is the ranking member on the Energy Subcommittee.
Grayson said at a hearing in December he wants to see much more investment in nuclear technology.
“These new designs have the potential to be much safer and efficient, while producing less waste,” Grayson said. “We just need to make sure that we are making the smartest investments we can with our limited resources, and that they are in the best interests of the American people.”
