Nuclear research bill passes Senate committee

A bipartisan nuclear research bill should lay groundwork enabling the Idaho National Laboratory to continue leading the nation’s nuclear energy and research, according to Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. The Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act (NEICA) cleared the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Thursday. Crapo said the measure authorizes creation of a National Reactor Innovation Center to bring together the technical expertise of the national labs, the Department of Energy, Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the private sector. The center would help develop the next generation of nuclear reactors and materials. “NEICA will eliminate barriers to innovation within the private sector and strengthen collaboration among all of our national labs,” said Crapo. “Advancing NEICA to the full Senate will support INL’s leadership in developing technology leading to the next generation of nuclear reactors.” The legislation’s bipartisan support included Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) and Cory Booker (D-New Jersey. The bill now goes on to the full Senate.