Nuclear law experts offer reasons for optimismANS Nuclear CafeJanuary 20, 2021, 9:30AM|ANS Nuclear CafeIn a January 14 "Nuclear Industry Recap of 2020" blog post, attorneys Sachin Desai and Amy C. Roma list some of the actions taken by the federal government over the past 12 months to improve the status of the U.S. nuclear community.Desai and Roma, both of whom practice nuclear and radioactive materials law at Hogan Lovells, look at actions by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Department of Energy, and Congress and find much to be optimistic about.The authors note, for instance, the NRC’s development of 10 CFR 53 rulemaking, geared toward the licensing and regulating of advanced reactors and, potentially, fusion systems; the DOE’s launch of the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, which provides funding partnership opportunities for industry stakeholders seeking to demonstrate advanced reactors; and Congress’s introduction of the American Nuclear Infrastructure Act, aimed at streamlining the NRC licensing process and supporting the competitiveness of the U.S. nuclear industry against global competition. Tags:10 cfr 53advanced reactor demonstration programamerican nuclear infrastructure actamy c. romasachin desaiShare:LinkedInTwitterFacebook
Fuel innovation: Powering nuclear modernizationToday’s U.S. commercial nuclear power plants are fueled with uranium dioxide pressed into cylindrical ceramic pellets—and have been for decades. These pellets are stacked inside long fuel rods made of a zirconium alloy cladding. Innovation in nuclear fuel, however, can improve safety, reduce operating costs, and further enable the development of a new generation of non-light-water reactors.Go to Article
Companion to American Nuclear Infrastructure Act debutsKinzingerDoyleRep. Adam Kinzinger (R., Ill.) last week introduced legislation to help economically troubled nuclear power plants and authorize funding for “nuclear closure communities.”The Preserving Existing Nuclear Energy Generation Act (H.R. 9015)—introduced in the House on December 17 and cosponsored by Rep. Mike Doyle (D., Pa.)—is a companion bill to the American Nuclear Infrastructure Act (S. 4897), the bipartisan measure introduced in the Senate in November and moved to the Senate floor earlier this month. On December 18, H.R. 9015 was referred to the House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.Go to Article
Senate bill introduced to reestablish U.S. leadership in nuclear energyBarrassoWhitehouseThe American Nuclear Infrastructure Act (ANIA), S. 4897, released as draft legislation in July and supported by a panel of energy experts at a Senate hearing in August, has been introduced in the Senate.The bipartisan bill—sponsored by Sen. John Barrasso (R., Wyo.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), and cosponsored by Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D., R.I.), Mike Crapo (R., Idaho), and Cory Booker (D., N.J.)—was introduced on November 16.Go to Article
Barrasso: The future of nuclear energy is AmericanSen. John Barrasso (R., Wyo.) authored an op-ed that was published in the Casper Star Tribune this week on the importance of rebuilding domestic uranium production. The article was published on the heels of a draft Senate bill, the American Nuclear Infrastructure Act of 2020, that was released on July 29. Go to Article
