Public Policy & Engagement

As states around the country continue to develop new methods of collaboration with local governments to facilitate and expedite new nuclear deployment, Indiana recently unveiled a plan of its own: the new Indiana Advanced Nuclear Ready Communities Program.

The Indiana Office of Energy Development (OED), which leads the program, describes it as a “first-of-its-kind state designation system” that formally recognizes communities that have taken measurable steps to prepare for new nuclear deployment.

On July 13, New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed the Power NJ Act, a bill that directs the state’s Board of Public Utilities (BPU), in collaboration with the state’s Economic Development Authority, to establish an “advanced nuclear energy procurement program.”

The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Energy introduced six nuclear permitting reform bills back in June. The mostly bipartisan bills returned to the subcommittee on Tuesday for markups—and with strong backing from both sides of the aisle.

Despite some lingering concerns in areas like federal transparency, the role of the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS), and staff attrition in the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the subcommittee advanced all six pieces of legislation to the full committee with bipartisan support.