Legislation is on its way to President Trump that would create partnerships between private-sector innovators in nuclear energy and federal government researchers. The goal is to create the next generation of clean, advanced nuclear power.
The bi-partisan legislation was led by Idaho Republican Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch and Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island.
"The passage of this legislation underscores the strong bipartisan commitment in Congress that nuclear energy must be maintained as a reliable, safe, clean and efficient part of our national energy portfolio," said Crapo. "S. 97 will eliminate barriers to innovation within the private sector and strengthen collaboration with our national labs to maintain American preeminence in nuclear energy."
Risch added, "Idaho is a natural leader in this public-private endeavor and I will continue to support INL's leadership as they develop advanced nuclear technology."
The bill passed the Senate in March and the House this week.
Under the law, the U.S. Department of Energy will prioritize partnerships with private innovators to test and demonstrate advanced reactor concepts. It strengthens the ability of national labs, like the Idaho National Laboratory, to partner with private industry to prove the principles behind their ideas.
