Contact:

Matt Dempsey Matt_Dempsey@epw.senate.gov (202) 224-9797

 

David Lungren David_Lungren@epw.senate.gov  (202) 224-5642

Inhofe Comments on Bipartisan Policy Center Review of NRC Licensing 

Link to Bipartisan Policy Center Review

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, applauds the Bipartisan Policy Center for reviewing the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s process for licensing new nuclear plants: 

“An independent review of new nuclear plant licensing is very timely," Senator Inhofe said. "The NRC is over two and a half years into the licensing process and is currently reviewing 13 applications, yet we still don’t have any projections from the agency of when it anticipates issuing licenses,”  “The Center’s assessment that the NRC and the industry have done a remarkable job so far should provide the Commission the confidence to provide projections of when it anticipates issuing the licenses currently under review.”  “After all, the Center noted: ‘Nearly all the applicants indicated that certainty in scheduling is more crucial than speed.’”

“My concern about schedule certainty and transparency is heightened by the BPC statement: ‘We believe that the difficulty of obtaining financing is a bigger obstacle to nuclear plant construction at the moment than licensing issues.’  More certainty in the licensing process is key to reducing investors’ perceptions of financial risk and building their confidence in the viability of these projects.” 

Related:

NRC Decision Could Mean More Nuclear Plant Delays

Inhofe, Vitter Request GAO Oversight of New Nuclear License Applications 

Inhofe Outlines Efforts to Help Move Nuclear Policy Forward In Senate Speech

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