NE Washington News

Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered opening remarks at today’s Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee hearing titled “The Fiscal Year 2025 Nuclear Regulatory Commission Budget.”

“Welcome Chairman Hanson and Commissioners. It is good to have you back before the Committee.

“American leadership in nuclear technology is critical to our economic and national security.

“It’s how we win the future with reliable, affordable, and clean energy to power our way of life, keep the lights on, build stronger communities, and achieve economic prosperity.

“The Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s safety mission serves a critical role in the success of the American nuclear industry.

“Making sure NRC performs this mission to achieve the great promise of nuclear energy is your core responsibility.”

Rodgers highlighted recent legislative actions aimed at bolstering nuclear energy. “Since you last testified before the Committee in June of last year, Congress developed and enacted several important laws to help unleash the full benefits of American nuclear energy."

“This Committee led on passing legislation to eliminate reliance on Russian uranium and legislation to secure and build our own nuclear fuel industry right here in the U.S."

“We also extended the Price Anderson Act for forty years, ensuring long-term liability coverage for reactors, which is essential for revitalizing the industry and getting more reliable, affordable power into our homes and businesses."

“And, perhaps most relevant for today, the Committee developed the Atomic Energy Advancement Act, landmark legislation signed into law earlier this month as the ADVANCE Act."

“This legislation will establish requirements and incentives to expand the use of nuclear energy and its many benefits for the United States."

“It will drive a more efficient, timely, and predictable NRC licensing process, which will encourage investment by reducing licensing costs for advanced technologies and facilitate the deployment of innovative new nuclear energy technologies—from reactors to fusion to fuels and fuel facilities."

“Taken together, these laws will strengthen our ability to compete globally and help power our future.”

Rodgers emphasized restoring NRC's mission through recent legislative efforts. “The ADVANCE Act takes significant steps to align NRC’s mission with the policy of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to ‘make the maximum contribution to the general welfare…increase the standard of living [...] and strengthen free competition and private enterprise [...] through development, use, and control of atomic energy.’"

“With this legislation, NRC now has tools from Congress necessary to unleash American nuclear energy,” she stated.

“A strong American nuclear industry is critical to U.S. energy security by helping us compete with Russia and China," Rodgers continued. "With this legislation...America already has one of best operating fleets in world...numerous promising advanced technologies simply require NRC licensing approval."

“This hearing is an opportunity for this committee better understand how you plan implement these new laws as Congress intended meet urgency moment,” she concluded.

“A robust growing nuclear industry critical reducing emissions providing reliable affordable clean energy American people,” Rodgers noted.

“I look forward discussing next steps ensure NRC implementing law effectively.”