S. 870: Fire Grants & ADVANCE Act

Summary

Provides money for firefighter grants and safety programs and makes it easier to develop and use new nuclear power technologies.

What problem does this solve?

Fire departments often lack the money for needed equipment and staff, while new, safer nuclear power development has been slow and costly. This law provides funding for firefighter grants and changes regulations to speed up the approval process for advanced nuclear energy projects.

Who does this affect?

Fire departments
Nuclear energy industry
U.S. government agencies

What does this law do?

Extends funding for firefighter grants

Continues the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs until 2030, authorizing funds for each.

Creates a faster licensing process for certain nuclear reactors

Establishes an expedited 25-month review process for new nuclear reactors that use a pre-certified design and are built on a site with an existing reactor.

Lowers application fees for advanced nuclear reactors

Caps the hourly fees the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) can charge to applicants for new, advanced nuclear reactors, reducing the cost of the review process.

Restricts nuclear fuel from Russia and China

Bans the possession or ownership of nuclear fuel made by companies owned or controlled by Russia or China, unless a special license is granted for national security reasons.

Allows certain allied nations to own U.S. nuclear facilities

Removes prohibitions on foreign ownership for entities from allied countries (members of the OECD and India), provided it does not harm national security or public safety.

Updates the mission of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Requires the NRC to update its mission statement to ensure its licensing and regulation are done efficiently and do not unnecessarily limit the use of nuclear energy.

Streamlines building reactors on former fossil fuel plant sites

Requires the NRC to create strategies to make the licensing process for building nuclear reactors on retired fossil fuel or brownfield sites more efficient and predictable.

Offers prizes for building new types of advanced reactors

Authorizes the Department of Energy to give cash awards to the first companies that successfully license and operate new types of advanced nuclear reactors.

Provides funding for the U.S. Fire Administration

Authorizes $95 million per year from 2024 through 2028 for the U.S. Fire Administration to support its fire prevention and control activities.

Establishes a regulatory framework for fusion energy

Clarifies that fusion energy machines will be regulated by the NRC under a framework similar to particle accelerators, not traditional fission reactors.

Gives the NRC more hiring flexibility and pay authority

Allows the NRC to directly hire experts, fix compensation rates, and offer hiring and performance bonuses to attract and retain a skilled workforce.

Requires a report on barriers to firefighter funding

Directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct an audit and report on the barriers that prevent fire departments from accessing federal funds.

What is the real world impact?

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Supports firefighters and advances clean energy

Provides necessary funding to local fire departments to ensure they have the resources for safety and emergencies. It also updates rules to encourage the development of advanced nuclear power, a source of clean energy.

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Strengthens U.S. leadership in the global nuclear market

Makes it easier to develop and export advanced nuclear reactors to compete with countries like Russia and China, who are major players in the global nuclear energy industry.

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Loosens restrictions on foreign ownership of nuclear plants

Allows entities from certain allied foreign countries to own or control U.S. nuclear facilities. Opponents may worry this could introduce national security risks, despite safeguards.

When does this start?

This law has multiple effective dates for its different sections, with many provisions taking effect on July 9, 2024, and others beginning on October 1, 2025.

Changes to NRC fees for advanced reactors

The amendments that reduce fees for advanced nuclear reactor applicants and exclude certain international activities from the fee base take effect on October 1, 2025.

Sunset of firefighter grant programs

The authority for the Assistance to Firefighters and SAFER grant programs is extended and will now end in 2030.

Report on advanced manufacturing for nuclear projects

The NRC must submit a report on licensing issues related to advanced manufacturing and construction for nuclear projects within 180 days of enactment.

Report on licensing for nonelectric nuclear uses

The NRC must submit a report on licensing issues for using nuclear reactors for things other than electricity within 270 days of enactment.

Update to NRC mission statement

The NRC must update its mission statement to include efficiency and support for nuclear energy deployment within one year of enactment.

GAO audit of firefighter funding barriers

The Comptroller General must conduct an audit and issue a report on barriers preventing fire departments from accessing federal funds within three years of enactment.

First report on spent nuclear fuel inventory

The Secretary of Energy must submit the first biennial report on the inventory and costs of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste by January 1, 2026.