Re: Nomination of Christopher T. Hanson to be Member and Chair of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Hanson to be Member and Chair of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Dear Majority Leader Schumer, Minority Leader McConnell, Chair Carper, and Ranking Member Capito, The Nuclear Innovation Alliance (NIA) is a non-profit, non-partisan “think-and-do” tank working to help create the conditions for success for advanced nuclear energy so it can be part of the climate and energy solution. [...] Funding and tax incentives for advanced reactors and new domestic nuclear reactor fuel production in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, and congressional appropriations are helping catalyze the development and deployment of new advanced reactors in the coming decades. [...] During Chair Hanson’s first term, the NRC successfully reviewed and approved a new reactor design (NuScale) and a construction permit for an advanced reactor (Kairos Power), and oversaw the completion and start-up of the first Generation 3+ reactors in the United States (AP1000 reactors at Vogtle Units 3 and 4). [...] NIA believes the clear direction provided by Chair Hanson and the rest of the Commission in their vote clarifies the intent of the draft proposed rule and refocuses NRC staff on creating a new rule that aligns with congressional intent and the needs of external stakeholders. [...] Chair Hanson’s experience on the Commission will be invaluable as the NRC continues the development, review, and promulgation of new rules that will enable the more effective review and licensing of new nuclear technologies.