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Summary:
Nuclear energy policy issues facing Congress include questions about radioactive waste management, research and development priorities, power plant safety and regulation, terrorism, the Price-Anderson Act accident liability system, nuclear weapons proliferation, nuclear weapons facilities cleanup, and technology for producing nuclear fuel. Federal funding for nuclear energy research and development was substantially reduced by the Clinton Administration, and the Bush Administration has proposed further cuts. However, in the FY2002 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill (H.R. 2311), the House and Senate have generally rejected those reductions. Several bills have been introduced in the 107 Congress to encourage the growth of nuclear power. A number of nuclear provisions are included in comprehensive energy legislation (H.R. 4) passed by the House August 2, 2001. House and Senate companion nuclear energy bills (H.R. 1679, S. 472) would encourage production from existing reactors, encourage construction of new nuclear plants, and modify licensing procedures. Nuclear energy provisions are also included in a chairman's mark for omnibus energy legislation unveiled by Senator Bingaman September 6, 2001, and in a comprehensive energy bill introduced by Senator Murkowski (S. 388).
