[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 62 (Thursday, April 29, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H3018]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     SUPPORT SMALL MODULAR REACTORS

  (Mr. ALTMIRE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. ALTMIRE. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I introduced two bills designed 
to incentivize small modular reactors, one of the most promising areas 
in the future of nuclear power. One-third the size of today's plants, 
small reactors are cheaper and take half the time to build. These 
reactors offer more siting options and provide additional safety 
benefits.
  The Nuclear Power 2021 Act is modeled for small reactors after the 
successful Nuclear Power 2010 program, and the Nuclear Energy Research 
Initiative Improvement Act requires the Department of Energy to develop 
a strategy to lower the cost of constructing and licensing nuclear 
reactors, including small reactors.
  In seeking a bipartisan solution, I introduced these pieces of 
legislation working in concert with Energy and Commerce Ranking Member 
Joe Barton and a bipartisan group of 19 other Members. I look forward 
to continue working with my colleagues to expediently bring small 
reactors to the market.

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