This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Congressman Bart Gordon’s bill to ensure robust research and development efforts in the United States nuclear industry.

“Nuclear power will need to remain a component of America’s energy portfolio, whether our goal is energy independence or responsible climate policy,” said Gordon, who chairs the House Committee on Science and Technology. “This bill invests in research to develop nuclear power technologies that are more efficient, more cost effective and more secure.”

Gordon’s bill, the Nuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 2010, promotes work on Small Modular Reactors, reactors that are significantly smaller and present much lower up-front costs than large traditional nuclear power plants. SMRs have the potential to increase the safety and reliability of nuclear generation while making it more cost effective for nuclear energy providers.  The bill also authorizes research into technologies to prolong the life of the United States' 104 existing commercial reactors, which currently provide 20 percent of the country's power and 70 percent of its emissions-free power. 

This bill also devotes resources to addressing the safety issues associated with storage and disposal of nuclear waste. A new fuel cycle research program at the Department of Energy will take a comprehensive approach to safe waste management, including reprocessing technologies and advanced storage methods. Gordon has been a leader on responsible nuclear waste disposal policy, opposing efforts to process other countries’ nuclear waste in Tennessee and passing the Radioactive Import Deterrence Act to limit imports of foreign waste.

The Nuclear Energy Research and Development Act was based on broad bipartisan efforts from the Committee of Science and Technology.

“When I became the Committee’s chairman in 2007, I wanted it to become the committee of good ideas and consensus,” said Gordon. “This bill is just one of the legislative accomplishments we’ve achieved by working in that spirit.”

In the current congress, Gordon has championed legislative efforts from tornado research to oil spill cleanup technology to national cybersecurity. The House reauthorized Gordon's landmark bill the America COMPETES Act earlier this year to protect America’s economic competitiveness by investing in research and science, technology, engineering and math education.

WASHINGTON - Congressman Bart Gordon voted today for legislation that will spur job creation in the new American clean energy industry and strengthen rural economies.  The Rural Energy Savings Act will provide loans to American families and farmers to improve their home energy efficiency to lower their utility bills, creating an estimated 20,000 jobs in manufacturing and installation in the process.

“This bill is a win-win-win. It will lower utility bills for families, reduce our country’s energy use, and create thousands of needed jobs in the manufacturing and construction industries,” Gordon said. “We are helping American families and farmers drive our economic recovery by giving them the tools they need to make their homes and farm buildings more energy efficient.”

The “Rural Star” program established by the bill would offer homeowners loans of $3,000 to $7,500 to eliminate the upfront cost of home energy efficiency upgrades. Existing electric co-ops in rural communities would facilitate the loans, which participating customers would then repay over 10 years as part of their regular electric bill. Energy savings created by the renovations purchased would help offset the cost of the loan.

The Rural Star and Home Star program created by this bill will boost demand for energy efficient products, materials, and construction and installation services that are made in America. More than 90 percent of these products and materials —caulking, insulation, HVAC systems, hot water heaters, sealant, windows, doors other structural materials — are made in America.

“American manufacturers could use the boost that these loans would provide,” Gordon said. “What’s more, the program is designed to be deficit neutral, with all of the capital going out as loans instead of grants.”

Gordon has championed investments in Tennessee’s industry and green jobs sector throughout his career in Congress. As Chairman of the House Committee on Science and Technology, Gordon has promoted advancements in energy technology through his America COMPETES Act, which became law in 2007.

“The cheapest form of energy is the energy you don’t use,” Gordon said. “Families and companies are finding ways to cut down on energy use and save money. Supporting their efforts with research and smart economic policies has been one of my major priorities in Congress.”