march 22 story correct remove reference inhofe chairman paragraph four washington u.s. senate committee easily pass bill wednesday enable nuclear regulator license advance nuclear reactors backers say safe conventional plant help deal grow waste problem nuclear energy innovation modernization act require nuclear regulatory commission develop regulatory framework enable license advance nuclear reactors could come development 10 15 years bill pass 18-3 environment public work committee republican senator jam inhofe say bill critical revitalization improvement nation nuclear energy industry bill bring together republicans eager prevent unite state fall behind china russia nuclear innovation democrats want foster technologies emit gas blame climate change legislation face cloudy future nuclear industry face competition cheap natural gas price grow wind solar power industries uncertain whether full senate would debate bill measure would absorb broad energy legislation democratic senator sheldon whitehouse say bill would help unite state keep lead innovation find possible solutions waste keep pool casks conventional nuclear plant sit get do country world vital public service whitehouse say potential advance reactors reduce waste problem fellow democrat senator kamala harris california one several lawmakers want see country find comprehensive permanent solutions exist nuclear waste conventional nuclear plant move ahead new reactors vote bill safely dispose radioactive material key priority mine ensure leave environment pristine unharmed future generations harris say add will help improve legislation senate panel pass bill license advance nuclear plant