The defense bill, which Congress passed earlier this week, Includes two modifications Which is celebrated by advocates of commercial nuclear power. The International Nuclear Energy Act establishes working groups and promotes funding and interagency cooperation on the development and export of U.S. nuclear technologies. The National Defense Authorization Act also reauthorizes the US International Development Finance Corporation, a financial institution that is expected to invest in nuclear power plants and uranium fuel projects.
These are “big wins” that make nuclear exports more attractive on the global market, says Rowen Price, senior policy adviser for nuclear energy at the center-left think tank Third Way, in an email to Edge.
The bill also directs the Department of Defense to create the role of executive agent for “nuclear energy installation and operation.”