Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act of 2017

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 97) to enable civilian research and development of advanced nuclear energy technologies by private and public institutions, to expand theoretical and practical knowledge of nuclear physics, chemistry, and materials science, and for other purposes.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. WEBER of Texas. 97, the bill now under consideration.

I rise today, Mr. Speaker, in support of S. 97, the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act. I want to thank Senator Crapo, Senator Whitehouse, Senator Murkowski, and Senator Booker, as well as Ranking Member Johnson and Chairman Smith for cosponsoring this important legislation, and for their years of leadership in advocating for nuclear energy research and development.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside my Senate counterparts to prioritize fundamental research that will support nuclear innovation and keep America safe, independent, and most importantly, globally competitive.

I also want to thank my colleagues on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee who have worked alongside of me with advancing this legislation.

The Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act, which I introduced in the 114th Congress and the 115th Congress, provides updated statutory direction to the Department of Energy's nuclear research activities to ensure that fundamental research is prioritized and precious resources are not wasted.

Mr. Speaker, this bill lays out a clear set of parameters and a definite timeline for DOE to complete an advanced research reactor facility, which is a crucial part of ensuring innovative materials and nuclear fuels R&D can take place right here in the United States instead of overseas.

While modeling and simulation can accelerate R&D, nuclear energy research must be validated through direct experimentation in the lab. This type of research requires access to a source of fast neutrons, and today, these are only available for civilian research in Russia.

The versatile neutron source authorized in this bill will provide the United States with this vital capability. S. 97 also directs DOE to partner with industry to construct and operate reactor prototypes at DOE national labs.

Mr. Speaker, our national labs provide a very unique environment that safely allows for creative testing and development for advanced nuclear technology without a burdensome regulatory process that can slow progress to a crawl. In order to maintain our nuclear capabilities, the United States must continue developing cutting-edge technology right here at home.

Without the direction provided in this bill, Mr. Speaker, we will continue to rely on foreign research. We will fall further and further behind. We will lose the ability to develop innovative nuclear technology and be left importing next-generation reactor designs from overseas. This is unacceptable.

S. 97 will maintain America's ability to influence security and proliferation standards around the world as more developing nations look to nuclear energy to grow their economies.

The language in this bill is the product of many Science, Space, and Technology Committee engagements with relevant stakeholders and nuclear research and development.

Mr. Speaker, last Congress this language passed the House three times as a standalone bill, with the House amendment to S. 2012 and in the NDAA, each with overwhelming bipartisan support.

This language also has a history of strong support in the Senate. It passed as an amendment in the Senate during the 114th Congress and again as a standalone bill this Congress.

S. 97 is vital to ensure that this important research and development is carried out. We cannot afford to miss the economic opportunity provided by next-generation nuclear technology.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting S.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source