Rep. Schrier Introduces Bill to Increase Reliable, Affordable, Clean Energy Production

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Kim Schrier M.D. (D-WA) and Congressman Richard Hudson (R-NC) introduced the Advanced Nuclear Deployment Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation that aims to improve the permitting process for nuclear energy.  

Nuclear power contributes nearly 20% of the electricity generated in the United States. In Washington State, the Columbia Generating Station contributes 1,207 megawatts of generation capacity to the grid. With a projected increased demand for permits and a lengthy nuclear licensing process, there is a significant need to streamline permitting for advanced nuclear reactors.  

Congresswoman Schrier’s bill would cut through this issue by:   

• Requiring the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to make licensing decisions for nuclear reactor applications that use previously licensed designs on the same nuclear site within 25 months of application submission. 
• Directing NRC to identify and issue guidance or regulations for licensing issues for microreactors. 
• Excluding prospective nuclear projects on Department of Energy (DOE) land or critical national security infrastructure sites from NRC preapplication or early site permit review fees. 
• Requiring DOE to enter into at least one long-term nuclear power purchasing agreement for power generated by a nuclear reactor, with a priority for advanced reactors that provide power to high-value assets or remote locations for energy security. 

“In our home state of Washington, we have adopted an ambitious goal to completely eliminate carbon emissions from our energy generation portfolio by 2045,” said Rep. Schrier. “This means we need to construct new emissions-free capacity resources like advanced nuclear, in addition to wind and solar and the abundant hydropower we already benefit from. By expanding our nuclear portfolio, in addition to hydroelectric baseload power, we can integrate renewables onto the grid, increase grid reliability, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while keeping energy bills affordable.”  

"Energy Northwest applauds the introduction of the Advanced Nuclear Deployment Act (ANDA), which provides important regulatory improvements to facilitate the deployment of next generation nuclear energy in the U.S.,” said R.E. Schuetz, Chief Executive Officer of Energy Northwest. "Energy Northwest is committed to providing clean, affordable, and reliable electricity to the Pacific Northwest, and advanced nuclear has a vital role to play in the region’s transition to a carbon-free grid. By providing for more efficient licensing that recognizes advancements in safety, expediting the process for new builds on sites with an existing reactor, and allowing long-term federal power purchase agreements, this legislation includes important policies necessary to swiftly deploy new nuclear energy technologies. 

“At the beginning of this Congress, I promised to support and lead legislation that expands the availability of affordable, reliable energy,” said Rep. Hudson. “We must enhance America’s competitiveness in energy deployment. I am proud to reintroduce this important piece of legislation, which will reduce emissions and increase our production of clean, accessible, safe energy.”