New law expands nuclear power, but some question potential safety hazards

(The Center Square) – The nuclear power industry received a boost with a bill that allows expansion, but not everyone is on board.

President Joe Biden signed the ADVANCE Act, which stands for Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy. The act is intended to help speed up the deployment and licensing of new reactors and fuels. The legislation also promotes development of small modular nuclear reactors, or SMRs.

Supporters said energy demand is expected to grow over the next decade as electric vehicles, data centers and AI-related operations all search for a reliable source of power.

The ADVANCE Act also directs the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to reduce certain licensing application fees and authorizes increased staffing for NRC reviews to expedite the process.

Illinois has the largest number of nuclear power reactors in operation in the country, with 11 nuclear reactors located at six different nuclear power plants. A recent Illinois law repealed a nuclear moratorium, which could clear the way for new nuclear plants in the form of SMRs.

David Kraft, director of the Illinois-based Nuclear Energy Information Service, said the act provides less regulatory oversight by ordering the NRC to streamline the licensing process.

“In science you don’t prejudge the outcome, you gather the data, you examine it and tear it apart and come up with a conclusion,” said Kraft. “Here they’re starting the other way around by saying we’re going to have nuclear power, downplay all the public outcry if there is any or any kind of negativity that would cast any doubt on the benefits of nuclear power. That’s just ridiculous.”

Kraft said the law ignores the potential increased risk and harm from having more nuclear reactors large and small, and produces more high-level radioactive waste without first having a disposal method in place for either current or future reactors.

Another development in this bill is its focus on small reactor technologies, known as microreactors. These compact reactors will be small enough to fit on a semi-truck and can be deployed around the country, including remote locations and military bases. The ADVANCE Act directs the NRC to develop guidance to license and regulate microreactor designs within 18 months.

“Nuclear power plays an important role in producing carbon-free power for our electric grid, and now our nuclear industry will have the framework it needs to strengthen America’s energy leadership,” said House Energy and Commerce Committee member U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey.