U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) have introduced the CLEAN SMART Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at accelerating nuclear waste cleanup by leveraging advanced technologies and the expertise of the nation’s national laboratories. The proposed legislation seeks to formally establish and fund the Department of Energy’s Network of National Laboratories for Environmental Management and Stewardship (NNLEMS), enhancing its role in supporting cleanup efforts at contaminated sites.
The Department of Energy, through its Office of Environmental Management, is currently responsible for cleaning up 15 sites across the United States that contain nuclear waste from projects dating back to the Manhattan Project and the Cold War. Cleanup costs for these remaining sites are projected to approach $700 billion, with completion expected near the end of this century. The CLEAN SMART Act aims to address these challenges by integrating advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and high-performance computing into remediation processes, including at facilities like Savannah River National Laboratory.
Senator Tim Scott said, “Our country’s national laboratories reflect the best of American innovation, including the world-class work being done at the Savannah River National Laboratory in South Carolina. The CLEAN SMART Act takes a bipartisan approach to harnessing that expertise to accelerate nuclear cleanup while protecting taxpayer dollars. I am proud to work with Senator Luján to deliver practical solutions and ensure these sites are cleaned up efficiently and responsibly.”
Senator Luján added, “Across the country, our National Labs—like Sandia and Los Alamos—are home to our brightest minds who drive innovation and scientific advancement. As we continue to address our nation’s environmental legacy from the Manhattan Project and the Cold War, I’m proud to partner with Senator Scott to introduce the CLEAN SMART Act to leverage the expertise of our National Labs to speed up the cleanup process while saving taxpayers billions. I’ve long fought to improve the lives of those impacted by nuclear waste, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this bill signed into law.”
Senator Scott represents South Carolina in Congress, focusing on economic development, education, health care, workforce development, and bridging economic disparities. He serves on several Senate committees related to banking, finance, health care, education, labor, small business, housing and urban affairs. His background includes experience in local government and entrepreneurship. More information about his initiatives can be found on his official website.
Scott has also contributed legislation such as Opportunity Zones in 2017 aimed at encouraging private investment in economically challenged communities. In addition to legislative work on issues like nuclear waste management through bills such as CLEAN SMART Act, he provides constituent services for South Carolina residents involving federal agencies and community resources.
The full text of the CLEAN SMART Act is available online.
