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Clean Air Task Force statement on EPW Passage of the American Nuclear Infrastructure Act of 2020

December 2, 2020 Work Area: Advanced Nuclear

Clean Air Task Force supports today’s passage of the American Nuclear Infrastructure Act of 2020 by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.  Introduced in November by Chairman John Barrasso (R-WY) and Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Mike Crapo (R-ID), and Cory Booker (D-NJ), this bipartisan legislation will revitalize the United States’ nuclear infrastructure by preventing more carbon emissions from entering our atmosphere.

This bill will establish at the Environmental Protection Agency new programs for a reverse auction incentive program for existing nuclear power and a new fund for the clean-up of abandoned mines on tribal lands. Importantly, this bill will also require reporting from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on unique licensing considerations for non-electric applications for nuclear power, promotion of advanced nuclear construction methods and opportunities, and annual reporting on spent fuel and waste. These provisions will support continued progress in the nuclear industry to build trust with communities and participate in a net-zero carbon future.

“The American Nuclear Infrastructure Act of 2020 will support the role of nuclear energy technologies in current and future decarbonization efforts. This legislation supports the clean energy attributes of existing nuclear energy technology, promotes the deployment of new advanced reactors, provides funds for clean-up of hard rock mining on tribal lands, and much more – all important to enabling nuclear technologies’ participation in a clean energy economy,” said Brett Rampal, Nuclear Team Manager at Clean Air Task Force.

Lindsey Griffith, Federal Policy Director offered the following comment: “When it comes to climate change, we can all work across the aisle to incentivize the development, deployment, and preservation of zero-carbon power sources. Today’s passage of the American Nuclear Infrastructure Act of 2020 through the Environment and Public Works Committee shows bipartisan leadership on climate action from the Senate – we applaud the work of all Members and staff on the continued advancement of these important technologies and on the development of new policy frameworks at the Environmental Protection Agency for crediting zero-emissions generation and getting closer to achieving our environmental justice goals.”

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