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Nuclear Utilization of Keynote Energy Act

Floor Speech

Date: Sept. 25, 2018
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Energy

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Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1320, the Nuclear Utilization of Keynote Energy Act. This bill makes commonsense revisions to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, or NRC's licensing process that can ease the financial pressure on the nuclear industry without jeopardizing safety or the environment.

Specifically, the bill makes a number of changes to the NRC's budget process and fee structure, most significantly by limiting the fees charged to innovate and advance nuclear reactor projects.

An important component of the bill requires NRC to report back to Congress on the commission's actions to address instances of employees facing reprisal for raising safety concerns that differ from the commission's position on a particular licensing action.

A recent internal NRC report identified several troubling cases of NRC employees, who raised safety issues, being passed over for promotions or being excluded from work activities by management. This can't stand, and I am pleased that this bill will take steps toward addressing this unacceptable situation.

The bill also requires NRC to report to Congress on best practices for community engagement in regions where a nuclear power plant has shut down and is going through the decommissioning process. This is particularly important in my home State of New Jersey where the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station ceased operations last week.

I appreciate the efforts of the sponsors of this bill, Representatives Doyle and Kinzinger, to work with Ranking Member Rush and me to make important changes to their original draft bill that significantly improved the legislation. I commend Mr. Doyle and Mr. Kinzinger for their efforts.

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Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Michael F. Doyle), my colleague on the committee.

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Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan initiative, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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