Our Statement on House Passage of the ADVANCE Act

On May 8, Good Energy released the following statement from Good Energy Managing Director of Policy and External Affairs Jackie Toth.

“The conferenced ADVANCE Act reflects the commitment of many lawmakers and their staff to strike a bipartisan and bicameral compromise. The bill contains useful provisions to bolster nuclear’s ability to contribute to our climate response. In fact, this is some of the first climate-positive legislation Congress has moved this session.

“But we remain frustrated with House Republicans’ refusal to entertain the modest $100 million authorization in the original Senate ADVANCE Act to clean up abandoned mine sites on Tribal lands.

“And as we testified last year, we oppose requiring the NRC to broaden the protective focus of its mission to encompass the efficient licensing of nuclear energy. Other nuclear advocates, in supporting the mission change, are foolish to have expressed so pointedly their distrust in the abilities of the NRC staff — with whom they must frequently engage.

“Once enacted, the legislation will aid the NRC in onboarding qualified workers into priority positions directly while also preparing university students for NRC employment through traineeships. It will also help enable the adoption of nuclear on brownfield sites — vital for communities facing the retirement of coal plants that may be interested in nuclear energy. And it will bolster and streamline the U.S.’ engagements with international allies on civil nuclear exports and regulation.”