DeGette celebrates passage of her bill to improve nuclear energy safety and modernize regulation

Washington, D.C. - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass H.R. 6544, the Atomic Energy Advancement Act. Rep. Diana DeGette, who co-led the bill with Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.), released the following statement celebrating its passage:

“Tackling the climate crisis means we must modernize our approach to all clean energy sources, including nuclear,” Rep. DeGette said. “From enhancing our energy supply chain to recruiting a highly trained and skilled workforce, this bill makes critical updates to improve safety and ensure our nuclear regulations are up-to-date, pushing us closer to a carbon-free energy future.”

“Nuclear energy is not a silver bullet, but if we’re going to get to net zero carbon emissions by 2050, it must be part of the mix,” DeGette continued. “As this bill heads to the Senate, I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in the House and Senate to find bipartisan solutions to address our clean energy needs.”

Congressman Jeff Duncan said, “I’m proud to have delivered the most significant update to nuclear energy policy in the Nation in more than a generation. As Chair of the Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security, we have worked in good faith with colleagues across the aisle to deliver legislation that ensures affordable, reliable, and clean energy for Americans. I’m grateful to Ranking Member DeGette for cosponsoring the bipartisan Atomic Energy Advancement Act to keep the lights on for Americans through efficient and predictable licensing, regulation, and deployment of nuclear energy technologies.”

The bill will go to the Senate for further consideration.

Read the full bill text here.