Energy bill goes to Senate floor May 5
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Energy Bill voted out of committee.
Bill will be debated on the Senate floor beginning May 5.
Please consider contacting your senator to urge their support for the nuclear provisions (a description of the provisions can be found below).
E-mails, calls or personal visits in the state are the best methods of contact.
Information for contacting your individual senator can be found at www.senate.gov.
Contact Doug Wasitis via e-mail or 202-312-7482 if you have questions.
Bill will be debated on the Senate floor beginning May 5.
Please consider contacting your senator to urge their support for the nuclear provisions (a description of the provisions can be found below).
E-mails, calls or personal visits in the state are the best methods of contact.
Information for contacting your individual senator can be found at www.senate.gov.
Contact Doug Wasitis via e-mail or 202-312-7482 if you have questions.
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, chaired by Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM), voted out of committee the comprehensive energy bill on April 30. It is expected to be considered on the Senate floor beginning May 5.
The committee bill includes several proposed provisions related to nuclear power, science and technology. A link to committee bill can be found at http://energy.senate.gov/.
Within the Nuclear Matters Title (Title IV), the bill would:
- extend indefinitely the authorization period for the indemnification provisions for NRC licensees and DOE contractors (Price-Anderson reauthorization);
- allow the Secretary of Energy to provide financial assistance to supplement private sector financing for new nuclear plants if it is determined the plant is necessary to contribute to energy security, fuel or technology diversity or clean air attainment goals. Financial assistance shall not exceed 50 percent of the project costs; financial assistance means a line of credit, secured loan, loan guarantee, purchase agreement or some combination;
Regulations to implement this section are required within one year of enactment. - direct the Secretary of Energy to establish an Advanced Reactor Hydrogen Co-Generation project. The project shall include research, development, design, construction and operation of a hydrogen production co-generation system using an advanced reactor;
The Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Lab (INEEL) would be the lead laboratory for the project.
- The Nuclear Energy Research Initiative, the Nuclear Energy Plant Optimization Program, the Nuclear Power 2010 Program, the Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems Initiative, the Reactor Production of Hydrogen, and Nuclear Infrastructure Support are all authorized for federal funds;
- Additionally, the Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative is authorized separately as is the University Nuclear Science and Engineering Support.
