Nuclear industry ‘facing some headwinds’ amid congressional budget fight: NEI CEO

AI generated summary

The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) CEO Maria Korsnick expressed concerns about the nuclear industry's future during her address at the annual Nuclear Energy Policy Forum in Washington, D.C. She highlighted the potential negative impact of House Republicans' proposed budget cuts, which aim to wind down clean energy tax credits and key Department of Energy programs. Korsnick emphasized the need for reforms at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and federal support for the U.S. nuclear supply chain to meet future power demands, stating, "We’re facing some headwinds, and the actions we take today will define what the future looks like."

Korsnick also referenced a letter signed by over 120 nuclear industry stakeholders urging Congress to maintain critical tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act. However, the House passed a budget package that would terminate these credits for new nuclear projects starting construction after 2028. The proposed changes have raised concerns among nuclear advocates, particularly given the Trump administration's previous support for nuclear energy. As the industry navigates these challenges, Korsnick reiterated the importance of protecting federal policies that support nuclear generation and highlighted ongoing projects that could be affected by the uncertain funding landscape.