H.R. 6544: Atomic Energy Advancement Act

118th Congress · Sponsored from South Carolina · In committee

What this bill does

Atomic Energy Advancement Act This bill establishes various requirements to accelerate the deployment of nuclear energy technologies, such as advanced nuclear reactors. Specifically, the bill sets forth requirements that direct the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to efficiently license and regulate nuclear energy activities. The bill also revises the NRC's hiring process to enable the NRC to respond to a severe shortage of candidates or a critical hiring need by using direct hiring for certain positions to carry out NRC's responsibilities and activities in a timely, efficient, and effective manner. It also reduces certain licensing fees charged by the NRC for advanced nuclear reactors. Further, it authorizes the Department of Energy (DOE) to make awards that pay for certain licensing fees. Additionally, the bill directs the NRC to promulgate a final rule that implements a process to facilitate efficient and timely environmental reviews of nuclear reactor applications. The NRC must also develop and implement strategies to enable efficient and timely licensing reviews for, and to support the oversight of, nuclear facilities at brownfield sites, including sites with retired fossil fuel facilities. Next, the bill sets forth requirements for expediting certain licensing decisions for new nuclear reactors that will use a previously licensed design and will be on or adjacent to a site on which a nuclear reactor already operates or previously operated. It also authorizes DOE to establish a pilot program under which DOE may make certain long-term power purchase agreements for power generated by commercial nuclear reactors. Finally, the bill establishes requirements concerning international nuclear energy cooperation and safety.

Key facts

• Status In committee
• Introduced 2023-12-01
• Policy area Energy
• Cosponsors 1
• Latest action Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Sponsor

Rep. Duncan, Jeff [R-SC-3]

Lead sponsor · South Carolina

R

Who funds the sponsor?

Rep. Duncan, Jeff [R-SC-3] introduced H.R. 6544. On Voterly you can see their top campaign donors from public Federal Election Commission records — individuals, PACs, and industry groups (follow the money) — and compare that with how they vote.

See Rep. Duncan, Jeff [R-SC-3]'s donors & voting record →

Campaign donations show who helps fund the sponsor's election; they are not the same as who drafted or lobbied for the bill text. Lobbying disclosures are separate public records.

Take a position & compare alignment

Agree or disagree with H.R. 6544? Go to the homepage to record your view and compare your stance with how your representatives vote. See Rep. Duncan, Jeff [R-SC-3]'s profile to vote on their bills and check your alignment % with the sponsor.

Read the official text on Congress.gov →