Statement from Third Way on Legislative Hearing: American Nuclear Energy Expansion: Updating Policies for Efficient, Predictable Licensing and Deployment

Yesterday, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security held the Legislative Hearing: American Nuclear Energy Expansion: Updating Policies for Efficient, Predictable Licensing and Deployment.

As the role of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in advancing US nuclear leadership proved to be a main topic of discussion, the following is a statement from Josh Freed, Senior Vice President of Third Way’s Climate and Energy Program, regarding the hearing.

"The hearing reinforced that there is bipartisan support for American leadership in global civilian nuclear power for security and to address climate change, and a recognition we must modernize the NRC to accomplish this," said Josh Freed, Senior Vice President of Third Way’s Climate and Energy Program. "Several of the proposals discussed in the hearing — modernizing the NRC’s mission, eliminating requirements for uncontested mandatory hearings, and streamlining environmental reviews — are critical for the US to deploy advanced nuclear as fast as we can to regain our global leadership. Congress should use this metric when evaluating all of the recent bills, including one that would establish an independent public engagement office, to consider whether such proposals are consistent with broader Congressional modernization efforts. If proposals do not pass this test, we hope Congress revises or rejects them."