Federal legislation supports nuclear energy
The favorable news stories that have fueled the momentum for the reemergence of public acceptance of nuclear energy are being complemented by some very positive activities in Congress. Currently, three bills specific to the promotion of nuclear energy, science and technology have been introduced in the House and Senate. In addition, comprehensive energy bills which would support long-term solutions to meeting this nation's energy needs have outlined a key role for nuclear power. Not since the Atoms for Peace program nearly 40 years ago has there been such support for nuclear programs exhibited by Congress.
S. 242
In early February, as a way to legislatively address the issues specific to university nuclear engineering programs and university research reactors (URRs), Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), along with Sens. Domenici (R-NM), Craig (R-ID) and Crapo (R-ID), introduced S. 242, a bill to authorize increased funds for nuclear science and engineering programs through the Department of Energy (DOE). The bill would authorize federal dollars for the activities currently being carried out by the Department, such as the Nuclear Engineering Education Research program (NEER), reactor sharing, fellowships and scholarships, and reactor instrumentations. For several years, all of these activities have been proposed for funding by the Department at relatively flat rates. While Congress has been able to incrementally adjust this level upward in some years, S. 242 sets a much higher target for funding. Rather than the $12 million recommended by DOE for 2002, S. 242 would authorize $30.2 million, a significant increase, to more adequately fund these activities. The bill has been referred to the Senate Energy Committee.
S. 472
Sen. Domenici has continued his leadership role in supporting nuclear science and technology by introducing a comprehensive measure, S. 472, to authorize funding for a myriad of nuclear programs. The bill, which has been cosponsored by 15 other Senators, is revolutionary in its goal of ensuring nuclear energy continues to contribute to the supply of electricity in the United States.
Among other provisions, the bill would support nuclear research and development by authorizing increased spending levels for NERI ($60 million for 2002 compared with $11 million in the DOE budget request); NEPO ($15 million compared with $4.5 million in the 2002 request); and the university programs ($34.2 million versus $12 million in the 2002 budget request). Also, the bill would authorize $50 million in 2002 for an aggressive schedule for evaluation of Generation IV technologies. Other provisions include the reauthorization of Price-Anderson, and the elevation of the position of Director of the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology to that of an Assistant Secretary. The bill has been referred to the Senate Energy Committee.
The 15 cosponsors of S. 472 are: Sens Bond (R-MO), Crapo (R-ID), Graham (D-FL), Hutchinson (R-AR), Kyl (R-AZ), Lincoln (D-AR), Thomas (R-WY), Voinovich (R-OH), Craig (R-ID), DeWine (R-OH), Hagel (R-NE), Inhofe (R-OK), Landrieu (D-LA), Murkowski (R-AK) and Thompson (R-TN).
H.R. 1679
The House version of S. 472 was introduced just last week by Rep. Lindsey Graham (R-SC). This bill, H.R. 1679, has been cosponsored by Reps. Burr (R-NC), Wilson (R-NM), Simpson (R-ID), Wamp (R-TN), Norwood (R-GA), Hastings (R-WA), and Stenholm (D-TX). Like the Domenici bill, this measure would support the same increased levels of funding for the nuclear research and development programs at DOE. The bill also reauthorizes Price-Anderson and authorizes funding for investigation into Generation IV technologies. The bill has been referred to the House Science Committee and the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
While each of the bills authorizes significantly higher levels of funding for specific programs, the actual funding must still be provided through the annual appropriations bill.
ANS Response
A website which contains the text of each of these bills can be found at thomas.loc.gov. It is important for the ANS membership to convey support for the introduction of these bills to individual Senators and Members of Congress. Please contact your Member of Congress and Senators and ask that they cosponsor the Senate bills, if they haven't already done so, and the House measure. If your representative is listed as a cosponsor, please let them know that you support them signing onto the bill(s).
Additionally, ask them to contact the Chairman of the House or Senate Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee (Rep. Sonny Callahan and Sen. Domenici, respectively) to urge that the funding provided to the programs in 2002 be consistent with the recommendations in the aforementioned legislation.
The contact information for your individual Member of Congress or Senator can be found at www.senate.gov or www.house.gov. If you have questions about this process or the substance of these bills, feel free to contact me at 202-312-7482 or dwasitis@bakerd.com.
The outlook for nuclear is considerably bright. It is important that organizations such as ANS contribute to the discussion by letting Congress know of your support for these bills to move forward.
