On December 15, 2009 the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee received testimony on S. 2052 and S. 2812. S. 2052, sponsored by Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO), amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to require the Secretary of Energy to carry out a research and development and demonstration program to reduce manufacturing and construction costs relating to nuclear reactors, and for other purposes. A link to the text of the bill can be found here.  S. 2812, The Nuclear Power 2021 Act, amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to require the Secretary of Energy to carry out programs to develop and demonstrate 2 small modular nuclear reactor designs, and for other purposes. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM). A link to the text of the bill can be found here.

Sen. Bingaman opened the hearing by stating his belief that small nuclear reactors hold the promise of reducing energy costs. Sen. Murkowski noted that it was through small nuclear reactors that today’s larger reactors were born, and that support for small modular reactors is growing as a complementary technology that may be a better fit for certain situations.

Dr. Warren Miller testified on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy. Miller began his testimony by stating several reasons small modular reactors may prove advantageous compared to the Generation III+ nuclear plants. First, he stated the high capital cost for new nuclear reactors has been a challenge for private entities to finance. It is the DOE’s belief that smaller projects would carry lower investment risk and could be more affordable to smaller utilities. Second, Miller mentioned that there are areas in this country where large plants are not needed or the where the existing infrastructure cannot support the larger capacity. Small modular reactors could be used to provide power to these smaller electrical markets. Third, Miller stated that some of the SMR designs may offer significant environmental or safety advantages for siting in industrial settings. Miller also cited the potential nonproliferation benefits to the use of small reactors that could be designed to operate for decades without refueling. Miller emphasized that this approach could minimize the spread of nuclear material. A fifth consideration Miller articulated was the fact that small reactors could also enter into traditionally non-nuclear energy markets for applications beyond electricity production.. A link to the DOE’s full testimony can be found here. A link to the committee hearing can be found here.

In his testimony, and in response to questions from Senators, Miller noted that the Administration had not yet concluded its formal review of the legislation pending before the Committee  and thus could offer observations, but not an endorsement.