About The Jenkins County times. (Millen, Ga.) 2023-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 13, 2023)
jenkinscountytimes.com The Jenkins County Times Wednesday, December 13, 2023- Page 11 House Energy and Commerce Committee Advances Bipartisan Atomic Energy Advancement Act Raffensperger works with counties to update inaccurate data from voter rolls By Joe Brady, Editor for The Times Special to The Times In a significant step towards bolstering the United States' nuclear energy production, the House Energy and Commerce Committee, with Congressman Rick Allen as a proud member, has successfully advanced H.R. 6544—the bipartisan Atomic Energy Advancement Act. This comprehensive package of bills aims to incentivize and advance nuclear energy initiatives across the country. A notable inclusion in H.R. 6544 is Congressman Allen's Nuclear Licensing Efficiency Act, introduced earlier this year. The act focuses on streamlining and improving the licensing review process for future nuclear projects by establishing updated procedures and timelines for reviewing nuclear licensing applications. Prior to the committee's approval of the bill, Allen delivered impassioned remarks highlighting the critical role of nuclear energy in achieving American energy dominance. He emphasized the significance of an "all-of- the-above strategy" and underscored nuclear energy's pivotal role as the nation's largest source of clean energy. "With the first two new nuclear reactors built in over three decades in the United States located at Plant Vogtle in my district, we are leading our nation’s nuclear future," Congressman Allen remarked. He commended Southern Company for their perseverance in completing these projects despite numerous challenges. Congressman Allen's Nuclear Licensing Efficiency Act, now part of the broader Atomic Energy Advancement Act, aims to modernize and expedite the often-burdensome licensing and permitting processes that hinder nuclear energy expansion in the U.S. "The Nuclear Licensing Efficiency Act provides efficient, timely, and predictable reviews of applications and proceedings for licenses of nuclear reactors," Congressman Allen explained. "It allows information used in the licensing process for an existing nuclear reactor site to be utilized in further licensing and permitting at that site." The Act also establishes a three-year timeframe to update performance metrics and milestone schedules, ensuring the most efficient processes possible. Congressman Allen stressed the importance of incorporating best practices learned from the successful completion of the Plant Vogtle projects to further integrate 24/7 nuclear energy into the national grid. "I am proud to have my bill as part of the broader, bipartisan Atomic Energy Advancement Act to improve our nuclear energy regulatory process," Congressman Allen concluded. He urged his colleagues to support the bill, emphasizing the urgency of embracing these advancements in nuclear energy to strengthen the nation's energy infrastructure. The Atomic Energy Advancement Act, with Congressman Allen's Nuclear Licensing Efficiency Act at its core, now moves forward with growing bipartisan support, signaling a positive stride towards a more robust and efficient nuclear energy sector in the United States. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is announcing further actions to secure the cleanest voter lists in the nation. Clean lists ensure a smooth check-in process for voters, making it easier for county election to do their job. Between now and early December, county election offices will mail 127,904 notices to Georgia voters who have filed a National Change of Address (NCOA) form with the US Postal Service indicating they have likely moved from one address within their county to another. According to Georgia law, voters on this list will be automatically updated to their new address within the county. These voters do not need to respond to the notice to keep their Active status. “Getting rid of bad and inaccurate voter data from the voter rolls helps prevent fraud, making it easier for county officials to do their jobs, and strengthens confidence in Georgia’s election results,” said Secretary Brad Raffensperger. “We are proud that we’ve continued to strengthen our list maintenance process and reaffirm our commitment to accurate voter lists.” Already this year, an additional 688,394 pieces of mail have been sent to voters as part of list maintenance procedures, which includes 185,208 notices mailed in September reflecting 100,685 voters who filed Out-of-State National Change of Address forms and 84,523 Out-of-County National Change of Address forms. The 688,394 pieces of mail also include 82,077 notices sent to voters who may have moved out of state and 37,285 postcards sent to voters who possibly moved within the state using information received from Georgia’s membership in the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC). These are voters who appear to have moved based on data from the Department of Driver Services. Georgia will continue to conduct list maintenance throughout this year in preparation for the 2024 election cycle, a continuation of robust steps taken by Secretary Raffensperger to ensure the most accurate voter records as Georgia heads into the 2024 Presidential election. The Times Printing Services Call Today! 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