Letter to Representatives Smith, Johnson, and Weber on Advanced Nuclear Energy Innovation

“Although nuclear power—the workhorse of emissions-free electricity—was developed and first commercialized in the United States, we have arguably lost the strategic and economic advantages of U.S. leadership in the field. And yet, today there are technologists and entrepreneurs in the United States who are anxious to develop, test, and commercialize advanced nuclear reactors encompassing a broad range of new and innovative designs, fuel cycles, and materials. Such reactors hold the promise of inherent safety at far lower cost than the current generation of reactors being built today.

“Your legislation would coordinate the efforts of the government in its role to regulate nuclear designs as well as promote integral R&D with private company support. By supporting high performance computation modeling, considering the next steps in an advanced test reactor, preparing the way for private companies to demonstrate innovative new reactor designs, and planning a long-term budget for the advanced nuclear research program, your legislation would provide a foundational understanding of what we must do to advance nuclear innovation and restore U.S. leadership in this critical field.”