Media statement on FY 2021 appropriations

December 22, 2020, 9:06AMPress Releases

Congress voted to approve appropriations for fiscal year 2021 that includes $1.5 billion for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy.

In response, Craig Piercy, Executive Director and CEO of the American Nuclear Society, said the following:

“Congress’ approval of $1.5 billion for nuclear energy signifies a continued commitment to America’s largest carbon-free energy resource.

ANS commends Congress for its bipartisan support of nuclear, including research and development program funding to sustain our existing fleet of reactors and to demonstrate new advanced reactor designs. Cost-sharing R&D partnerships with private industry play an essential role in delivering this next generation of nuclear technologies.

ANS also applauds Congress for retaining the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) program and for funding the DOE’s planned Versatile Test Reactor. Once built, the VTR will give American nuclear scientists access to ‘fast-neutron-spectrum’ capabilities that are critical for the testing and demonstration of advanced fuels, materials, and components.

FY 2021 appropriations are a strong step in the right direction but significantly higher levels of R&D investments in low-carbon energy technologies, including nuclear, are still needed if we are to halt climate change through rapid deep decarbonization.”



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