WASHINGTON, D.C.
— U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, today questioned Annie Caputo and Bradley Crowell, nominees to be members of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

HIGHLIGHTS:

ADVANCED NUCLEAR LICENSING: “Multiple companies are either currently in the license process or are expected to use existing licensing pathways—known as Parts 50 or 52—for advanced reactors. The commission really needs to update a number of policies—such as emergency planning, siting, and nuclear liability insurance—to reflect the reduced risk associated with smaller, safer nuclear designs. This will allow advanced nuclear companies to have certainty that their designs can be reviewed, licensed, and deployed in a timely, economical, and safe manner. Mr. Crowell, if confirmed, will you commit to prioritize policies to establish predictable, efficient, and safe regulations for advanced nuclear reactors? How in terms of the efficient issue—because I think there’s lagging in the timelines that have been set—how do you speed up so it meets the increasing interest in this advanced nuclear?”

PREDICTABILITY IN REGULATIONS: “Basically you’re saying the early movers are going to move through the existing regulations. Does that provide the predictability? So, if the rules change between 2025 and 2030, would those early movers have to make adjustments? Because we’ve already seen the commission come back recently—and I mentioned it in my opening statement—and rescind an original decision and ask for some revisions. I think we have to avoid that at all costs.”

 

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