NATIONWIDE — U.S. Rep. Elaine Luria, of Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District is cosponsoring a bipartisan bill that would bring advanced nuclear energies to the market while promoting energy independence in the United States, according to a press release from Luria’s office.
The Nuclear Power Purchase Agreements Act would lengthen federal power purchase agreements by up to 40-years. It would direct the Secretary of Energy to enter into one or more of agreements to purchase nuclear power reactors licensed after January 2020. The Department of Energy would also enter into a national security-related nuclear power purchase agreement prior to 2026 to provide reliable and resilient power in remote off-grid and emergency scenarios.
“Having operated nuclear reactors on aircraft carriers, I know nuclear energy has immense potential as a clean and safe energy source,” Luria said. “Almost one-third of the Commonwealth’s energy is derived from nuclear power and my goal is to continue to make Virginia a national leader in driving American energy independence. The Nuclear Power Purchase Agreements Act will direct the federal government to purchase power from advanced nuclear reactors. This will incentivize innovation in the nuclear sector and spark more widespread adoption of nuclear power. As we strive to reduce and eliminate carbon emissions, nuclear energy must be part of the solution.”
