HOUSE E&C COMMITTEE TO STRENGTHEN OVERSIGHT OF NUCLEAR EXPORT RULES

Revamped Department of Energy nuclear export policies that have generated criticism from the nuclear energy industry are now drawing attention from the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The committee wrote to Energy Secretary Steven Chu yesterday, informing him that it was “strengthening” its oversight of the nuclear export policies. DOE released new draft changes to federal regulations that govern civilian nuclear in 2011, and the new rules have been criticized by the Nuclear Energy Institute as overly broad, placing restrictions on nuclear exports to too many new countries, and would delay the processing of export licenses. “We seek to examine how current policies and Administration efforts affect opportunities for enhancing or expanding U.S. manufacturing and competitiveness, both for strengthening domestic job growth and for the benefit of U.S. influence over international nuclear safety and nuclear security,” wrote committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.), Vice Chairman Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Chairman Emeritus Joe Barton (R-Texas), Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Tim Murphy (R-Pa.), Subcommittee Vice Chairman Michael Burgess (R-Texas), Energy and Power Subcommittee Chairman Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.), and Environment and the Economy Subcommittee Chairman John Shimkus (R-IL). “… These revisions may substantially change the scope and requirements for approval of exports of nuclear technology and services, with direct implications for U.S. nuclear-related commerce.” The lawmakers sought a briefing from DOE by April 12 on the “regulatory process, reviews, and decision-making concerning nuclear export licenses, as implemented through the National Nuclear Security [Administration].”