Crapo, Bipartisan Group Introduce Legislation to Revitalize America's Nuclear Infrastructure

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) joined Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Chairman John Barrasso (R-Wyoming) and Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island) and Cory Booker (D-New Jersey) in introducing bipartisan legislation to revitalize the United States’ nuclear infrastructure.  S. 4897, the American Nuclear Infrastructure Act of 2020, will enable U.S. international leadership, preserve America’s nuclear fuel supply chain, reduce carbon emissions and strengthen the nation’s economic, energy and national security. 

“Over the last couple of years, Congress has ushered in a new chapter in U.S. nuclear energy by enacting legislation promoting nuclear innovation,” said Crapo. “The advancement of clean, reliable nuclear energy is paramount to maintaining the United States’ eminence in nuclear power, research and innovation.  The American Nuclear Infrastructure Act will further facilitate our country’s nuclear competitiveness through enhanced collaboration with allied nations, nuclear energy workforce development and improved review processes to help deploy advanced nuclear technologies.  This bill, in conjunction with our other work, will help ensure research at the Idaho National Laboratory continues to contribute to and empower the long-term viability of our diverse domestic energy portfolio.  I thank Chairman Barrasso for his leadership on this important effort.” 

The American Nuclear Infrastructure Act of 2020 (ANIA) will: 

• Reestablish American International Competitiveness and Global Leadership;
• Expand Nuclear Energy Through Advanced Nuclear Technologies;
• Preserve Existing Nuclear Energy;
• Revitalize America’s Nuclear Supply Chain Infrastructure; and
• Authorize funds for Environmental Cleanup Programs on Tribal land. 

A section-by-section of the American Nuclear Infrastructure Act of 2020 can be found HERE.  Full text of the bill can be found HERE. 

The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works held a legislative hearing on August 5, 2020, to consider the draft legislation. 

On April 23, 2020, the Department of Energy released its report titled, “Restoring America’s Competitive Nuclear Energy Advantage.”  The report found the decline of our industrial nuclear supply capabilities threatens our national interest and national security.  The report recommends actions that will set the United States back on the right track.  ANIA implements the report’s key recommendations. 

In the last two years, President Trump has signed two key pieces of legislation that further nuclear innovation: S. 97, the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act (NEICA); and S. 512, the Nuclear Energy Innovation Modernization Act (NEIMA).  These laws help ensure the research conducted at the Idaho National Laboratory continues to contribute to our diverse domestic energy resources and keeps our nation at the forefront of nuclear innovation. 

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