The federal government recently made a big move to streamline the nuclear regulatory process. The ADVANCE Act, signed into law on July 9, will make building new nuclear reactors easier everywhere in the country. //

First, it will streamline the process for converting “covered sites” (land formerly used for coal plants, factories, etc.) into nuclear reactor sites. Missouri is moving toward shuttering its coal plants—meaning that many covered sites will become available. //

Second, the ADVANCE Act mandates that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) expedite the “combined license” process for applicants building at a site where a nuclear plant currently operates or has previously operated.