U.S. Reps. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter, R-GA, and Scott Peters, D-CA, are commending the Senate for its passage of the bipartisan Global Nuclear Energy Assessment and Cooperation Act. The bill that aims to strengthen the U.S.’ nuclear energy sector and inhibit enemy capabilities now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk for signing.
“I’m proud that our bipartisan bill to strengthen the United States’ nuclear energy sector will soon be the law of the land. With this bill, not only will we strengthen our own energy sector, but we will also expand access to American nuclear technologies to our allies, helping build sustainable, reliable baseload energy grids around the globe,” said Carter. “The United States continues to demonstrate leadership in the clean energy expansion, and I thank Rep. Peters for his support.”
The bill will help promote international cooperation and assistance on nuclear reactors, just in time for some possible nuclear energy breakthroughs like SMRs – small modular reactors. This international cooperation will also involve the assistance in helping to build nuclear regulatory infrastructure in other countries, helping to ensure energy independence and safety. The bill will also give a boost to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in importing or exporting nuclear reactors, an issue where the technology for these reactors is so limited or advanced.
“Nuclear energy is essential to a clean, resilient, and reliable electric grid and represents the largest source of zero-carbon electricity in the United States,” said Peters. “Our Global Nuclear Energy Assessment and Cooperation Act bolsters our nuclear energy sector while inhibiting our adversaries’ nuclear capabilities, including China and Russia. I thank Rep. Carter for his leadership and collaboration in this space.”
One of Georgia’s Public Service Commissioners (PSC), Tim Echols, recently traveled to Poland for a European energy conference. Poland has just concluded its “nuclear beauty-contest,” as Echols puts it, and chose the same type of design that Georgia just finished at Plant Vogtle. Twin themes at the conference revolved around climate change (and lowering carbon output) and national security. The war in Ukraine highlighted Europe’s vulnerability due to its reliance on Russian energy sources and the 17 countries present at the conference wanted to hear about Georgia’s experiences and the view from the PSC.
Echols also noted – along with UGA Engineering Professor David Gattie – that China is blowing the rest of the world out of the water on new nuclear construction. Since the year 2000, China has built 75 new nuclear reactors. The next most is India with 20(!), and besides those two countries, the rest of the world has built 75. One thing Echols did not mention is the advantage China has in pushing projects forward – there’s not a lot of citizen input or regulations like we have that might hold up construction like we have. Perhaps we need to find ways to hasten infrastructure development but China, and its dictatorship model, have an advantage for these types of projects.
“The United States is on the verge of a nuclear liftoff with exciting new technologies moving towards construction,” said Jeremy Harrell, Chief Executive Officer, ClearPath Action. “There are dozens of advanced reactor designs expected to go through the NRC licensing process by the end of this decade, and they need a modern approach and bipartisan legislation to keep up with our country’s energy needs. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation will unlock America’s clean energy potential.”
