Thanks to Colorado’s congressional delegation for voting to pass HR 6544, the Atomic Energy Advancement Act. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Denver) co-led the bill with Rep. Jeff Duncan (R- S.C.). It earned a 91% “yea” vote in the U.S. House of Representatives. Yes, Virginia, there is a problem-solving spirit in today’s Congress.

“Tackling the climate crisis means we must modernize our approach to all clean energy sources, including nuclear,” Degette said. “If we’re going to get to net zero carbon emissions by 2050, (nuclear power) must be part of the mix.”

Duncan called it “the most significant update to nuclear energy policy in more than a generation.” He thanked DeGette for cosponsoring legislation “to keep the lights on for Americans through efficient and predictable licensing, regulation and deployment of nuclear energy technologies.”

Clean energy permitting reform matters to all Americans. We need efficient, effective, modern rules that support a variety of zero and low carbon solutions, focused on ensuring high safety standards, community involvement and efficient deployment.

Next week, I’m traveling to Washington, D.C., for Citizens’ Climate Lobby’s Conservative Lobby Day, where our more conservative volunteers meet with Republican representatives. We’ll thank them for their work on bipartisan energy permitting reform and urge them to continue reaching across the aisle to solve the challenges of the energy transition.

At CCL, we believe that people are good and democracy can work. Thanks to DeGette, Rep. Lauren Boebert and the Colorado congressional delegation for proving us right on this point.

Kathy Fackler

Durango