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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), who serves as a senior member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, released the following statement after his bill the Nuclear for Brownfields Site Preparation Act passed the U.S. Senate on Tuesday as part of the ADVANCE Act and will head to the President’s desk to be signed into law:

“I am proud to see my bill the Nuclear for Brownfields Site Preparation Act pass the United States Senate, and head to the President’s desk to be signed into law. One of my key priorities as a member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee is to make America energy independent again. This must be done through an all of the above approach that embraces nuclear energy and makes use of our best resource, our dedicated energy workforce. Unfortunately, due to Democrats War on Coal, many coal fired power plants have been forced to close in recent years. With recent increased regulation this will only continue; we must work to bring back this power generation, and work to use the infrastructure currently in place to do so. It is crucial that both Kentucky and our nation make use of our dedicated energy workers to put us back on the path to energy dominance and lower energy costs. I urge President Biden to sign this bill into law and work to help our energy workers across the country,” said Congressman Guthrie.

Background

The Nuclear for Brownfields Site Preparation Act would direct the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to identify and report on the regulations, guidance, or policy necessary to license and allow nuclear facilities at brownfield sites as well as other sites with retired fossil fuel facilities.

The NRC would consider how existing site infrastructure can be reused and early site permits, plant parameter envelopes, or standardized applications for similar sites may be used for licensing.

The NRC would be required to develop and implement strategies, including through rulemaking, to enable and support licensing of nuclear facilities, taking into consideration matters relating to existing emergency planning, environmental data and reviews, decontamination and remediation, community engagement, and historical experience with energy use at the sites.

Click here to view the text of the Nuclear for Brownfields Site Preparation Act.

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