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At a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy hearing Thursday, Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) asked Secretary of the Department of Energy (DOE) Rick Perry about the department’s vision for advanced nuclear technology programs. Legislation authored by Latta, the Advanced Nuclear Technology Development Act, was approved by the House of Representatives earlier this year. That legislation would provide more certainty regarding the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s regulatory approval process, which would improve innovation in nuclear technology and support further investment.
 
“As you may know, in January, the House passed my legislation, the Advanced Nuclear Technology Development Act, by voice vote. This legislation will help pave the way for American innovators, nuclear engineers, and entrepreneurs, to design, develop, license, and ultimately deploy the next generation of nuclear reactor technologies. The Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy plays an important role in supporting these potentially breakthrough technologies, in addition to appropriately coordinating with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to assure that those technologies will navigate the NRC’s rigorous regulatory approval process,” said Latta.
 
Latta also asked Secretary Perry about the agency best designed to lead the Energy Star program. The voluntary program has enjoyed success, as it allowed consumers seeking energy efficient products to easily identify them through the Energy Star label. However, the lead role of Energy Star program was shifted to fall under EPA control in 2009 under the Obama Administration, even though the DOE has relevant expertise to handle energy standards.

Video is available here.
 

 
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