Subcommittee Discusses Nuclear R&D Legislation
(Washington, DC) – Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Energy held a hearing to examine H.R. 4084, the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act. The bill was recently introduced by Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and Chairman of the Energy Subcommittee Randy Weber (R-TX).
H.R. 4084 would authorize a new user facility, establish a National Reactor Innovation Center, ensure that advanced nuclear researchers have access to DOE’s high end computing and related experimental capabilities, and direct DOE to provide 10-year plans for nuclear energy R&D activities for various budget scenarios.
Ranking Member Johnson said, “Nuclear power plays a vital role in providing our country with clean, reliable energy…But there currently are technical, economic, and policy challenges that prevent nuclear energy from playing a larger role in enabling our clean energy future.
“The Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act takes several positive steps to address these challenges. Implementing the provisions in this bill will help accelerate the development of advanced nuclear energy technologies that are safer, less expensive, more efficient, and produce less waste than the current generation of nuclear reactors.”
She also expressed her appreciation for the bipartisan handling of the legislation. She said, “This is a great example of what we can achieve when we put politics aside and join forces to address the challenges facing our nation’s research enterprise.”
Ranking Member of the Energy Subcommittee Alan Grayson (D-FL) expressed his support for pursuing fusion energy. He said, “I am also a strong supporter of making much larger investments in fusion energy research… Our ultimate goal should be the cleanest and most abundant energy source possible. I believe fusion energy may well be that resource.”
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