Sinema's Bipartisan ADVANCE Act Passes Senate, Heads to Biden's Desk

Senator Kyrsten Sinema's (I-AZ) bipartisan ADVANCE Act, which strengthens the United States' nuclear capabilities and outreach, passed the Senate by a vote of 88 to 2 and is now headed to President Joe Biden's desk to become law.

Short for the "Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy" Act, the bill was initially introduced by Senator Shelly Moore Capito (R-WV) and has enjoyed broad bipartisan support in the upper chamber.

The ADVANCE Act, with its focus on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) leading international forums, is set to have a significant global impact on the development and regulation of nuclear energy. This is achieved through a joint Commerce and Energy Department program aimed at assisting countries in developing their own nuclear energy programs and identifying the most efficient, effective, and safe techniques for building reactors.

Such manufacturers will also receive grants for further development and reduction of regulatory costs. At the same time, an amendment introduced by Sen. Sinema also "authorizes funding to assist in cleaning up legacy abandoned mining sites on Tribal lands."

"Our bipartisan legislation strengthens America's global leadership in clean, reliable nuclear energy by investing in cutting-edge nuclear technologies and improving nuclear infrastructure and supply chains," the Arizona Senator said in her press release.

In December, Republican Senatorial candidate Kari Lake, who is running to take Sinema's seat against Representative Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), advocated for nuclear energy as part of her campaign. She expressed optimism about the long-term future of our energy, stating, "Long-term, our energy future will come from new, safe, and clean nuclear and reactor technologies."

Florida's Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL) has been a longtime advocate for the usage of nuclear energy, writing an op-ed in our sister site, The Floridian, in June pushing for harnessing the Sunshine State's "unlimited nuclear potential."

"Throughout my time in Congress, I've come to realize an intriguing opportunity that could provide substantial benefit to the Sunshine State—that opportunity is for Florida to unleash its limitless nuclear potential," wrote Rep. Donalds.