Congressional Hearing Focuses on Implementation of the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act

The House Committee on Science, Space and Technology’s Energy Subcommittee recently held a hearing on the potential benefits of focusing more on nuclear energy. The hearing examined potential challenges in exploring nuclear energy here in the U.S.

Led by full committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX), and Subcommittee Chairman Randy Weber (R-TX), the hearing also explored implementation of S. 97, the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act (NEICA) which just recently passed the House and moved to the President’s desk for signature into law. Below is the full list of witnesses that testified:

• Mr. Edward McGinnis, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, U.S. Department of Energy
• Mr. Harlan Bowers, President, X-energy
• Dr. John Parsons, Co-Chair, MIT Study on the Future of Nuclear Energy in a Carbon Constrained World
• Dr. John Wagner, Associate Laboratory Director, Nuclear Science & Technology, Idaho National Laboratory

The work and capabilities of the DOE National Labs received multiple rounds of praise with full committee Chairman Smith stating, “Because of technical challenges and the high regulatory costs associated with licensing commercial reactors, the DOE national laboratory system plays an important role in supporting nuclear innovation. National labs can host critical research infrastructure, while DOE researchers can investigate the fundamental scientific questions that are key to the development of next-generation nuclear fuels and reactor designs.”

In addition, Public-Private partnerships in advancing nuclear energy technologies was a popular topic, with Subcommittee Chairman Weber noting, “[S.97] directs DOE to partner with industry to construct and operate reactor prototypes at DOE national labs, and authorizes key research infrastructure needed for next generation nuclear R&D. We know that DOE has the expertise to lead in this arena.”

To view the hearing in full, click here: https://science.house.gov/legislation/hearings/subcommittee-energy-hearing-advancing-nuclear-energy-powering-future?utm_medium=email&utm_source=FYI&dm_i=1ZJN,5VNE2,E29O8W,MZT6B,1