Should U.S. Research Institutions and Industry Collaborate on Nuclear Energy Innovations? (S. 903)

“As we seek to maintain electric reliability, keep energy prices affordable, and address climate change, nuclear power stands out as one of our very best options. We once led the world in nuclear energy, but have surrendered that position to Russia and China. It is imperative that we reverse that trend and develop advanced nuclear technologies domestically. Our bipartisan bill will provide the tools, resources, and partnerships necessary to reestablish U.S. global leadership, and I thank my colleagues for sponsoring it with me.”

In an op-ed in the , Sen. Murkowski argues that allowing U.S. nuclear leadership to decline has both economic and strategic consequences:

“[O]ur geostrategic competitors — China, Russia and others — have recognized nuclear energy’s immense potential and are blazing new paths to seize it. Operating from a position of strength, they are seizing the mantle of advanced reactor leadership for the coming decades. The decline in U.S. nuclear leadership has had a range of economic consequences for our nation. It has also diminished our ability to influence nuclear security and non-proliferation decisions. Allowing other nations to take our place could put world security interests at risk.”

Original cosponsor Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), who’s seeking the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, adds:

“It’s imperative for the United States to lead the way on tackling the world's climate crisis and that must include the development of clean and innovative technologies like next generation nuclear energy. This bipartisan bill will spur development of demonstration projects at the Department of Energy, which could become an important source of carbon free electricity generation.”

The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) supports this bill. Its president and CEO, Maria Korsnick, says:

“This legislation sends an unmistakable signal that the United States intends to re-commit itself as a global leader in clean, advanced nuclear technology. State-owned and state-sponsored developers in rival nations – especially China and Russia – are developing next-generation nuclear technology. For the American nuclear industry to compete globally, we must have significant collaboration among the federal government, our national labs and private industry to accelerate innovation. NELA provides the means for America to continue to lead in nuclear energy technology. We ask Congress to pass this legislation to help ensure the success of advanced nuclear technologies that will play a tremendous role in reaching a global clean energy future, while creating jobs and economic benefits.”

In a series of tweets, Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates expressed his support for this bill:

"Yesterday, a bipartisan group of leaders in the US Senate introduced the Nuclear Energy Leadership Act, which establishes an ambitious plan to accelerate the development of advanced nuclear reactor technologies. "I can't overstate how important this is. To prevent the worst effects of climate change, we need to reach near-zero emissions on all the things that drive it - agriculture, electricity, manufacturing, transportation, and buildings - by investing in innovation across all sectors while deploying low cost renewables. Nuclear energy is one of these critical technologies. It's ideal for dealing with climate change, because it is the only carbon-free, scalable energy source that's available 24 hours a day. I'm thrilled that senators from both sides of the aisle have come together to support advanced nuclear. This is exactly the kind of leadership our country needs to both solve the climate challenge and reassert our leadership in this important industry.”

In his 2018 year-end blog post, Gates — who chairs the TerraPower LLC nuclear energy venture, which uses a traveling wave reactor — announced his intention to “speak out more” about the U.S.’ need to regain its leading role in nuclear power research. He wrote:

“Next year I will speak out more about how the U.S. needs to regain its leading role in nuclear power research… Nuclear is ideal for dealing with climate change, because it is the only carbon-free, scalable energy source that’s available 24 hours a day. The problems with today’s reactors, such as the risk of accidents, can be solved through innovation. The United States is uniquely suited to create these advances with its world-class scientists, entrepreneurs, and investment capital. Unfortunately, America is no longer the global leader on nuclear energy that it was 50 years ago. To regain this position, it will need to commit new funding, update regulations, and show investors that it’s serious… The world needs to be working on lots of solutions to stop climate change. Advanced nuclear is one, and I hope to persuade U.S. leaders to get into the game.”

This bill has 16 bipartisan Senate cosponsors, including nine Republicans and seven Democrats. Last Congress, Sen. Murkowski introduced it with 10 Senate cosponsors, including seven Democrats and three Republicans, and it received a committee hearing but no committee vote.

This bill has the support of the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) and a coalition of nine advanced nuclear advocates, including: ClearPath Action, Third Way, the Bipartisan Policy Center, Clean Air Task Force, the Nuclear Innovation Alliance, the American Nuclear Society, CRES Forum, the American Council for Capital Formation, and the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES).

Of Note: Sen. Murkowski’s office notes that “advanced reactors are the next generation of breakthrough nuclear technologies,” with the ability to offer “significant advantages for power generation.” Some advanced reactors are smaller than today’s commercial reactors and able to provide increased reliability, reliability, and off-grid power. Others can “utilize exotic fuels, materials, and coolants to decrease the cost of delivered power or provide high-temperature process heat for industrial manufacturing.”

Ars Technica notes that “advanced nuclear reactors are next-generation technology that improve upon the large light-water reactors that are in use today,” which have struggled in the U.S. due to high costs and communities’ reluctance to accept new nuclear builds due to fears of reactor meltdowns and terrorist attacks.

However, regardless of whether advanced nuclear reactors are an improvement over light-water reactors, Ars Technica points out that nuclear waste remains an “unsolved problem” in the U.S. due to the lack of an official disposal site for commercial nuclear waste. While there are “technically feasible” solutions to this problem, it’s also been a politically intractable issue. Tellingly, this bill doesn’t have any provisions related to nuclear waste handling.

In 2016, the DOE estimated that U.S. jobs supporting advanced nuclear technology at home and abroad could reach up to $740 billion through 2026.

U.S. interest in and reliance on nuclear power has waned over the past few decades, allowing other countries to lead in innovation in the sector. High-profile incidents in the past, such as the partial meltdown at Three Mile Island in 1979, have contributed to public mistrust of nuclear energy. However, John Kotek, vice president of policy development and public affairs with the Nuclear Energy Institute trade group, believes that the increasing recognition of nuclear’s role in a clean energy system “could lead to passage of this bill and other legislation that helps create a pathway for advanced nuclear.”

Media:

• Sponsoring Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) Press Release
  
• Sponsoring Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) Op-Ed
  
• Advanced Nuclear Advocates Coalition Press Release (In Favor)
  
• Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) Press Release (In Favor)
  
• Bill Gates on Twitter (In Favor)
  
• Senate Energy Committee Section-by-Section
  
• Senate Energy Committee One Pager
  
• Morning Consult
  
• Ars Technica