SE Valley Times

The Arizona House of Representatives has joined forces with other states, including Texas, Florida, Utah, and Louisiana, along with several U.S. nuclear companies, to challenge a federal rule that they argue is obstructing the development of advanced nuclear energy technologies in the United States. This legal action targets a long-standing regulation by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), which imposes the same licensing requirements on small modular reactors (SMRs) as it does on larger, traditional nuclear power plants. The lawsuit contends that this rule misinterprets federal law, preventing innovative nuclear technologies from entering the U.S. energy market.

Speaker Montenegro expressed strong feelings about the situation: “This is a textbook case of Washington bureaucrats getting in the way of American progress. America is behind the modern world when it comes to nuclear advancement. We have had this technology for decades, yet the NRC has not let us advance, stifling innovation. Arizona House Republicans are pushing back. We’re standing up for American innovation, lower energy costs, and true energy independence.”

Adding to the argument, Majority Leader Carbone stated, “Small modular reactors are the kind of clean, reliable, American-made technology we should use to meet growing energy demand. They’re meltdown-proof, can be deployed when needed, and run on recycled fuel. But thanks to the NRC, these technologies can’t move forward while our competitors overseas surge ahead. That stops now.”

The legal challenge aims to remove barriers to the adoption of SMRs, which are touted as safe and efficient alternatives to traditional nuclear energy sources. Proponents argue that such advancement is vital for energy independence and to reduce costs for consumers. The outcome of this lawsuit could significantly influence the future landscape of nuclear energy technology in the United States.