Naples Standard

WASHINGTON - On July 18, 2023, Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL) introduced the 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th bills of the 2023-24 Donalds Nuclear Energy Package. These bills include H.R. 4674 – The Advanced Nuclear Feasibility Act, H.R. 4675 – The Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS) Reform Act, H.R. 4676 – The Nuclear Red Tape Reduction Act, H.R. 4677 – The Leverage Obligated Appropriations for Advanced Nuclear (LOAN) Act, and H.R. 4678 – The Provide Logistical Airport Aid Via Advanced Nuclear Energy (PLANE) Act. Congressman Donalds released the following statement:

"Throughout the first seven months of the 118th Congress, I have worked hard to elevate the role of nuclear within the arsenal of American energy. Not only is nuclear the cleanest and greenest source of energy at our country's disposal, but it is an invaluable asset that we must utilize in order to efficiently power the future of our nation. My now twenty-bill and growing, nuclear energy legislative package promotes this critical and under-utilized solution to America's current and future energy demands.

"My five most recent bills seek to facilitate the licensing and deployment of advanced nuclear reactors, reduce licensing costs, slash unnecessary bureaucratic red tape, and establish regulatory clarity. They also include provisions to bolster efficiency and effectiveness within the nuclear energy industry by consolidating and streamlining various antiquated processes. Most importantly, I offered a proposal to encourage airports to consider using microreactors for back-up power in the case of natural disasters. As Southwest Florida's representative in the halls of Congress, the constant threat of hurricanes is an all-too-real threat for our community. Nuclear energy provides practical and commonsense solutions for our community, our state, and our nation. I look forward to further exploring the benefits of this technology."

Background: 

H.R. 4674 – Advanced Nuclear Feasibility Act, is the 16th bill of the 2023-24 Donalds Nuclear Energy Package. This bill establishes a competitive program to fund feasibility studies to license and deploy advanced nuclear reactors.

H.R. 4675 – Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS) Reform Act, is the 17th bill of the 2023-24 Donalds Nuclear Energy Package. This bill modernizes the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS) to streamline Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensing.

H.R. 4676 – Nuclear Red Tape Reduction Act, is the 18th bill of the 2023-24 Donalds Nuclear Energy Package. This bill maximizes the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) risk-informed and performance-based approach and eliminates mandatory hearings for non-contested applications. 

H.R. 4677 – Leverage Obligated Appropriations for Advanced Nuclear (LOAN) Act, is the 19th bill of the 2023-24 Donalds Nuclear Energy Package. This bill allows DOE ARDP recipients increased access to the $350+ billion currently remaining in DOE LPO loan authority. 

H.R. 4678 – Provide Logistical Airport Aid Via Advanced Nuclear Energy (PLANE) Act, is the 20th bill of the 2023-24 Donalds Nuclear Energy Package. This bill updates Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) guidance and encourages airports to consider using microreactors for back-up power in the case of natural disasters. 

2023-24 Donalds Nuclear Energy Package (As of July 18, 2023):

• H.R. 1006 – NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) Survey Act
• H.R. 1007 – Nuclear Assistance for America's Small Businesses Act
• H.R. 1009 – National Strategy to Utilize Microreactors for Natural Disaster Response Efforts Act
• H.Con.Res. 26 – National Nuclear Commitment Act
• H.Res. 124 – Pro-Nuclear Resolution
• H.R. 2462 – Protect American Energy From China Act
• H.R. 2487 – Rationalize Green Energy Act
• H.R. 2488 – Advanced Nuclear is Green Act
• H.R. 2938 – International Nuclear Energy Act
• H.R. 3137 – American Isotope Security Act
• H.R. 3483 – Strategic Nuclear Infrastructure Act
• H.R. 3484 – Advanced Reactor Coordination (ARC) Act
• H.R. 3485 – Avoid Our Adversaries & Buy American Nuclear Act
• H.R. 3486 – Recoup American Nuclear Global Leadership Act
• H.R. 3487 – Advanced Nuclear Support Act
• H.R. 4674 – Advanced Nuclear Feasibility Act
• H.R. 4675 – Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS) Reform Act
• H.R. 4676 – Nuclear Red Tape Reduction Act
• H.R. 4677 – Leverage Obligated Appropriations for Advanced Nuclear (LOAN) Act
• H.R. 4678 – Provide Logistical Airport Aid Via Advanced Nuclear Energy (PLANE) Act

More:

See full social media graphics rollout HERE.

Read the full text of H.R. 4674 – Advanced Nuclear Feasibility Act HERE.

Read the full text of H.R. 4675 – Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS) Reform Act HERE.

Read the full text of H.R. 4676 – Nuclear Red Tape Reduction Act HERE.

Read the full text of H.R. 4677 – Leverage Obligated Appropriations for Advanced Nuclear (LOAN) Act HERE.

Read the full text of H.R. 4678 – Provide Logistical Airport Aid Via Advanced Nuclear Energy (PLANE) Act HERE.

Original source can be found here.