advance-act-letter-4.5.24-ee4a5482a4ec96ea.pdf

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) expresses concern over the Atomic Energy Advancement Act (H.R. 6544), arguing that certain provisions threaten the independence of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and national security. The organization recommends rejecting language that would force the NRC to prioritize the efficiency and benefits of nuclear energy over radiological health and safety, rejecting mandates to 'maximize the efficiency' of oversight programs, and maintaining the prohibition on foreign ownership, control, or domination of U.S. nuclear facilities.

• Section 101(a) of H.R. 6544 would require the NRC to rewrite its mission statement to ensure licensing and regulation are conducted efficiently and do not 'unnecessarily limit' the potential and benefits of nuclear energy. UCS argues this would force the agency to consider factors like profitability, undermining its independence from the industry and the Department of Energy, and potentially violating the 1994 Convention on Nuclear Safety.
• Section 123 of H.R. 6544 directs the NRC to review pandemic-era regulatory modifications and document ways to 'maximize the efficiency' of oversight using 'risk-informed, performance-based procedures.' UCS contends this is an attempt to pressure the agency to reduce the frequency and scope of inspections.
• Section 203(b) of H.R. 6544 and Section 301 of S. 1111 would remove the Atomic Energy Act's ban on 'foreign ownership, control, or domination' of U.S. nuclear facilities. This would allow foreign interests, including autocratic regimes such as Hungary and Turkey, to own up to 100 percent of these facilities, which UCS argues creates security risks and potential loss of sensitive information.

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (2024). advance-act-letter-4.5.24-ee4a5482a4ec96ea.pdf. https://ucs-documents.s3.amazonaws.com/clean-energy/Advance-Act-Letter-4.5.24.pdf

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. advance-act-letter-4.5.24-ee4a5482a4ec96ea.pdf. 2024. https://ucs-documents.s3.amazonaws.com/clean-energy/Advance-Act-Letter-4.5.24.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=advance-act-letter-4.5.24-ee4a5482a4ec96ea.pdf |date=8 April 2024 |url=https://ucs-documents.s3.amazonaws.com/clean-energy/Advance-Act-Letter-4.5.24.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{unionofconcernedscientists2024advanceactletter4524ee4a5482a4ec96eapdf, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{advance-act-letter-4.5.24-ee4a5482a4ec96ea.pdf}}, publisher = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2024}, month = apr, url = {https://ucs-documents.s3.amazonaws.com/clean-energy/Advance-Act-Letter-4.5.24.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }