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2021 will present opportunities for the advanced nuclear and space exploration sectors, but companies should be cognizant of complex compliance standards.
TAKEAWAYS
The prior Administration’s January 12, 2021 Executive Order (EO) promoting advanced reactors and the use of nuclear technology for defense purposes and space exploration seeks to provide direction and initiative to other, ongoing federal efforts in these sectors. Given the bipartisan support for advanced nuclear technology and the inclusion of nuclear energy as a key solution in the Biden plan for a clean energy revolution, it is likely that the Biden Administration will continue advancing the initiatives set out in the EO.
Although Biden is pro-nuclear, there’s a chance that the new Nuclear Regulatory Commission might get out of bed with the nuclear lobby.
NRC has been too deferential to a nuclear industry eager to reduce the cost of operating nuclear plants while keeping aging plants online.
Nuclear has another friend in Biden, but changes at the NRC could mean more scrutiny ahead,
Utility Dive . 1 Feb 21, Matthew Bandyk
Nuclear power is in a period of transformation, and so is the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. On Jan. 23, President Joe Biden appointed NRC Commissioner Christopher Hanson, a Democrat, as the new chairman of the agency. Hanson replaces Kristine Svinicki, a Republican who was designated by President Donald Trump to lead the commission days after his 2017 inauguration, and left Jan. 20, ending a 3-2 Republican majority on the commission……..
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Nuclear power is in a period of transformation, and so is the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. On Jan. 23, President Joe Biden appointed NRC Commissioner Christopher Hanson, a Democrat, as the new chairman of the agency. Hanson replaces Kristine Svinicki, a Republican who was designated by President Donald Trump to lead the commission days after his 2017 inauguration, and left Jan. 20, ending a 3-2 Republican majority on the commission.
The shift comes amid a time of significant opportunities for the nuclear power sector, along with considerable challenges, including plants that are still struggling to turn profits in competitive electricity markets, difficulties building new nuclear to replace retiring reactors, and the threat of climate change impacts.
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The NRC held a public meeting on January 26 to discuss potential options for licensing fusion energy systems. This meeting is part of the NRC’s work to develop regulations to license and regulate advanced nuclear reactors as directed by the
fission (i.e., splitting atoms), but Congress also wants the NRC to explore regulating fusion reactors (fusing atoms like in the sun). During the meeting, NRC staff received presentations on the different fusion technologies, their risks, and how existing NRC regulations could be used to regulate fusion.
As background, NEIMA’s definition of advanced reactors includes both advanced fission reactors and fusion reactors, and directs the NRC to establish regulations for advanced reactors no later than by the end of 2027. To comply with NEIMA, NRC staff is now developing 10 CFR Part 53 for advanced reactors, and the Commission
Energy Technology Export Controls
Executive Summary
Dual-use products and materials, those with both military and civilian applications, are subject to export controls.
These export controls make U.S. clean energy technologies less competitive in the global market just as governments and consumers are prioritizing efforts to combat climate change.
Trade barriers to the export of U.S. clean energy technologies, such as export controls, should be reformed to reduce their impact on the innovation and sale of technologies necessary to combat climate change.
Introduction
Demand for clean energy technologies has grown globally as efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change become a priority for governments and consumers alike. These technologies, however, are often dual-use technologies that rely on materials and components used for military purposes or have security implications. As a result, they are subject to export controls, which have been developed to ensure that cert