Earlier this week, Congress passed a defense bill that includes two significant amendments aimed at promoting commercial nuclear energy. The International Nuclear Energy Act is designed to establish working groups, enhance funding, and foster interagency cooperation regarding the development and export of U.S. nuclear technologies. Additionally, the bill reauthorizes the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, a financial institution anticipated to invest in nuclear power plant and uranium fuel projects.
Supporters of these amendments suggest they could make U.S. nuclear exports more competitive in the global market. Rowen Price, a senior policy advisor for nuclear energy at the think tank Third Way, noted via email that these developments represent important advancements for nuclear exports.
Furthermore, the legislation mandates the Department of Defense to create an executive agent role focused on the installation and operational aspects of nuclear energy. This step aims to prioritize nuclear energy initiatives within the defense sector. The implications of these changes for both domestic energy policy and international nuclear exports remain to be evaluated.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/science/848445/nuclear-energy-ndaa-defense-bill