H.R. 6544 · 118th Congress · House

Atomic Energy Advancement Act

In Congress· Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Introduced
Dec 1, 23
Passed House
Feb 28, 24
Passed Senate
Pending
Sent to President
Pending
Signed into Law
Pending

Executive Summary

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.

Previous Versions

08Feb 16, 2024

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 establishes a pilot program that allows DOE to make long-term power purchase agreements for power generated by commercial nuclear reactors.

Finally, the bill establishes requirements concerning international nuclear energy cooperation and safety.

00Dec 1, 2023

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 establishes a pilot program that allows DOE to make long-term power purchase agreements for power generated by commercial nuclear reactors.

Finally, the bill establishes requirements concerning international nuclear energy cooperation and safety.

Action Timeline

25
  1. FEB 29, 2024IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

  2. FEB 28, 2024Floor

    Mr

    Duncan moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  3. FEB 28, 2024Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules

    (consideration: CR H703-715)

    703Yea
    715Nay
    0NV
  4. FEB 28, 2024Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6544.

  5. FEB 28, 2024Floor

    At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered

    Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

  6. FEB 28, 2024Floor

    Considered as unfinished business

    (consideration: CR H730-731)

    730Yea
    731Nay
    0NV
  7. FEB 28, 2024Floor

    Passed/agreed to in House

    Roll Call #55

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 365 - 36, 1 Present (Roll no. 55). (text: CR H703-711)

    365Yea
    36Nay
    0NV
  8. FEB 28, 2024Floor

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 365 - 36, 1 Present (Roll no. 55). (text: CR H703-711)

    Roll Call #55
    365Yea
    36Nay
    0NV
  9. FEB 28, 2024Floor

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  10. FEB 16, 2024Committee

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce

    H. Rept. 118-391, Part I.

    118Yea
    391Nay
    0NV
  11. FEB 16, 2024Committee

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce

    H. Rept. 118-391, Part I.

    118Yea
    391Nay
    0NV
  12. FEB 16, 2024Committee

    Committee on Science, Space, and Technology discharged.

  13. FEB 16, 2024Discharge

    Committee on Science, Space, and Technology discharged.

  14. FEB 16, 2024Committee

    Committee on Foreign Affairs discharged.

  15. FEB 16, 2024Discharge

    Committee on Foreign Affairs discharged.

  16. FEB 16, 2024Calendars

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 320.

  17. DEC 05, 2023Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

  18. DEC 05, 2023Committee

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 47 - 2.

    47Yea
    2Nay
    0NV
  19. DEC 01, 2023IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  20. DEC 01, 2023IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  21. DEC 01, 2023IntroReferral

    Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  22. DEC 01, 2023IntroReferral

    Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  23. DEC 01, 2023IntroReferral

    Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  24. OCT 24, 2023Committee

    Consideration and Mark-up Session Held by the Subcommittee on Energy, Climate and Grid Security Prior to Introduction and Referral

  25. JUL 18, 2023Committee

    Hearings Held by the Subcommittee on Energy, Climate and Grid Security Prior to Introduction and Referral

Committees

10

Environment and Public Works Committee

ssev00

Referred: Feb 29, 2024

Active

Foreign Affairs Committee

hsfa00

Referred: Feb 16, 2024

Active

Science, Space, and Technology Committee

hssy00

Referred: Feb 16, 2024

Active

Energy and Commerce Committee

hsif00

Referred: Feb 16, 2024

Active

Energy and Commerce Committee

hsif00

Referred: Dec 5, 2023

Active

Foreign Affairs Committee

hsfa00

Referred: Dec 1, 2023

Active

Science, Space, and Technology Committee

hssy00

Referred: Dec 1, 2023

Active

Energy and Commerce Committee

hsif00

Referred: Dec 1, 2023

Active

Energy Subcommittee

hsif03

Referred: Oct 24, 2023

Active

Energy Subcommittee

hsif03

Referred: Jul 18, 2023

Active