The U.S. Senate has decisively voted to approve a significant piece of legislation designed to strengthen the nation’s nuclear energy industry.
The bill was passed with a vote tally of 88-2, with Senators Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) opposing it. This nuclear package was merged with another bill that reauthorized the U.S. Fire Administration and funding programs for firefighters. This combined legislation will also be sent to the president for approval.
The objective of the measure is to expedite the approval process for the construction of new nuclear facilities, as many existing plants in the country are nearing the end of their operational lifespan. Furthermore, it lowers the licensing fees that energy companies are required to pay to start new projects. It also requires the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to prepare a report that explores methods to simplify and speed up the environmental review process.
