WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today applauded the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s passage of the International Nuclear Energy Act . This legislation, led by Senator Risch and Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.V.), chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, would promote engagement with ally and partner nations to develop a civil nuclear export strategy and offset Russia and China’s growing influence on international nuclear energy development.

“Nuclear energy’s clean and safe capabilities offer limitless potential. American leadership in nuclear technology development is critical for continuing to expand its capabilities and protect our national security interests,” said Risch. “The Idaho National Laboratory is a world leader in both nuclear energy and security. This legislation allows us to double down on the innovation being fostered right here in Idaho and use it to exert influence worldwide.”

The  International Nuclear Energy Act would:

• Support establishment of an office to coordinate civil nuclear exports strategy; establish financing relationships; promote regulatory harmonization; enhance safeguards and security; promote standardization of licensing framework; and create a nuclear exports working group.
• Create programs to facilitate international nuclear energy cooperation to develop financing relationships, training, education, market analysis, safety, security, safeguards and nuclear governance required for a civil nuclear program.
• Require two biennial summits, one focused on nuclear safety, security and safeguards, and another for civil nuclear vendors to enhance cooperative relationships between private industry and government.
• Establish a Strategic Infrastructure Fund Working Group to determine how to best structure a Fund to finance projects critical to national security.

Full text of the  International Nuclear Energy Act can be found  here.

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