More can be done to modernise the US nuclear regulator and the Department of Energy to help the government advance the development and deployment of nuclear energy, a Republican congressman said.

Speaking at a meeting of the House of Representatives Energy Subcommittee, the Energy and Commerce Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee chair Jeff Duncan said several bills under consideration would improve Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing by creating clearer timeframes, cutting hourly fees for advanced reactors, and avoiding duplicative environmental reviews.

The legislation would direct that NRC should do its work in “a timely, efficient, and predictable way”, Duncan said.