After years of advocacy from industry groups like the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA), legislation aimed at accelerating the adoption of nuclear energy is now law. The Advance Act, recently signed by President Biden, promises to streamline the permitting process and offer incentives for next-generation nuclear reactor technologies.
SMACNA, which represents over 3,500 construction firms across the U.S., has long championed the bill. The organization's CEO, Aaron Hilger, highlighted the legislation's importance for both the environment and the industry.
"Our member firms have spent nearly a decade pushing for this landmark legislation," Hilger said. "With their extensive experience in building and maintaining nuclear facilities, they're eager to see the financing and training provisions in the ADVANCE Act come to fruition. These new nuclear technologies have the potential to drastically cut carbon emissions, and our firms are ready to construct and maintain them."
The Advance Act tackles several key areas to facilitate the growth of nuclear power. It modernizes licensing requirements to accommodate innovative reactor designs, identifies regulatory roadblocks to safe deployment, and even opens the door for repurposing conventional energy sites in the future. Crucially, the law reauthorizes training programs to ensure a steady supply of skilled nuclear workers.
Among the bill's specific directives to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) are mandates to enhance preparedness for advanced reactor fuel, develop strategies for licensing microreactors, and report on the manufacturing and construction needs of nuclear projects. The NRC must also update its mission statement to reflect a commitment to maximizing the benefits of nuclear energy.
SMACNA and other supporters argue that expanding nuclear power is vital for decarbonizing the electricity sector and ensuring reliability. Despite years of stagnation, the issue has garnered broad bipartisan support, with the Advance Act ultimately passing both the House and Senate before being signed into law.
The legislation's enactment comes as the urgency to address climate change grows. With the nuclear industry poised for innovation and the construction sector ready to deliver, the ADVANCE Act could mark a turning point in the nation's energy mix. As the law's provisions take effect, expect a renewed focus on nuclear as a low-carbon solution for the future of power generation.
