House Passes Harshbarger Bill to Streamline Nuclear Reactor Safety Reviews
The House has passed legislation aimed at speeding up the federal licensing process for nuclear reactors while keeping independent safety reviews focused on new and potentially significant risks.
Lawmakers approved H.R. 9613, the Nuclear Advisory Committee Reform Act, by voice vote Monday after taking it up under suspension of the rules.
The bill, introduced by Republican Tennessee Rep. Diana Harshbarger, would update the duties of the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards, known as ACRS. The independent panel advises the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on reactor safety, proposed standards and other technical issues involving civilian nuclear facilities.
Harshbarger said the goal is to focus the committee's expertise on "novel, safety-significant issues" instead of re-examining matters already settled elsewhere in the regulatory process.
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"When it comes to nuclear energy, safety has to come first, and today's vote gets us one step closer to making sure America's top experts are focused on the issues that matter most," Harshbarger said after the vote.
"This commonsense bill keeps independent safety review in place and concentrates it on new and significant issues instead of rehashing what's already been resolved," she added.
What the Bill Changes
The measure would amend the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and change how the committee reviews applications before the NRC. Instead of giving every licensing matter the same level of scrutiny, ACRS would concentrate on reactor designs and safety issues that are unique, novel or noteworthy.
The Congressional Budget Office said the bill would direct the committee to focus on "reactor designs and risks that are unique, novel, or noteworthy."
The legislation would also limit members to two terms, although the NRC could keep a member longer if commissioners found a compelling need.
Racing China on Nuclear Power
The push comes as Washington tries to accelerate development of advanced reactors amid complaints that slow federal permitting and licensing are holding back construction.
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President Donald Trump has made expanding nuclear power part of his broader drive to boost domestic energy production and meet soaring electricity demand from artificial intelligence data centers, factories and other large users.
Harshbarger warned that needless delays could leave the United States behind China. "We cannot afford to mistake procedure for safety, or to cede the future of nuclear energy to Communist China," she said.
"I'm grateful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who helped get this done. I'll keep pushing to get this bill to President Trump's desk," Harshbarger added.
The bill was introduced July 9 with Republican Texas Rep. Craig Goldman as an original co-sponsor. The Energy Subcommittee advanced it by voice vote on July 14, the full Energy and Commerce Committee approved it in September, and an amended version was formally reported to the House on Nov. 5. It then received 40 minutes of debate Monday before passing.
The CBO found the bill would have almost no effect on federal spending, noting that ACRS had already shifted its focus toward novel reactor designs after a 2025 executive order reforming the NRC. Administrative costs tied to the new term limits would total less than $500,000 from 2027 through 2031, the office estimated.