Senate passes bipartisan bill to accelerate the construction and development of nuclear power plants

In an 88-2 vote, the Senate Tuesday passed a bill that will boost the construction of new nuclear power plants in the U.S. 

Among other things, the ADVANCE Act, which was sponsored by Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.V., cuts regulatory costs in the licensing of advanced nuclear reactors, incentivizes the deployment of advanced reactor technologies, and directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to accelerate licensing review processes to site and construct reactors at existing nuclear sites. 

“I’m proud the work we put into this legislation over many years is coming to fruition, and excited to mark a significant achievement for clean, reliable nuclear power,” Capito said in a statement. 

The bill, which passed the House last month by a vote of 393-13, now heads to President Joe Biden for his consideration. According to Recharge News, the president is expected to sign.