House resolution urges support for advanced nuclear and asks NRC to speed reviews

Representative Keith Ammon introduced HCR 2, a concurrent resolution declaring the development of advanced nuclear energy technology "to be in the best interest of the state of New Hampshire and the United States." The resolution is symbolic and asks federal and state agencies to take several actions:

- Express state support for advanced nuclear technologies as a carbon‑free, dispatchable source of energy and for associated economic and workforce development. - Urge the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to prioritize and expedite rulemaking specific to advanced reactors (testimony referenced NRC's work on Part 54). - Encourage state and higher‑education institutions to develop workforce training programs suited to advanced nuclear technologies. - Send the resolution to federal leaders, relevant Congressional committee chairs, the NRC, and state executives and agencies.

Sponsor comments and next steps: Ammon said the resolution is intended to send a signal to industry and federal regulators that New Hampshire is open to advanced nuclear projects and to encourage federal regulatory clarity. He noted that the Senate rules make concurrent resolutions harder to receive in the Senate without suspension of rules and that he had secured three Senate co‑sponsors to aid floor consideration. Several committee members asked technical and policy questions about workforce development, supply‑chain risks, and regulatory timetables.

Where this sits: HCR 2 is a nonbinding statement of policy; no committee vote was taken during the Feb. 11 hearing. The resolution and related conversations occurred alongside other advanced‑nuclear bills and testimony in the same hearing day.