Energy (Nuclear)

The Civil Nuclear Export Act of 2026 amends the Export-Import Bank Act to allow federal financing for nuclear reprocessing facilities when authorized under existing atomic energy agreements. It expands the scope of the Program on China and Transformational Exports to explicitly include civil nuclear energy technologies, materials, services, and related infrastructure. Additionally, the bill raises the cap on excess lending authority by $50 billion for this specific program and increases the default rate threshold from 2 percent to 4 percent before mandatory monitoring actions are triggered.

The MORE American Fuel Act of 2026 amends the Atomic Energy Act to allow companies to begin constructing uranium enrichment facilities before the Nuclear Regulatory Commission issues an operating license, provided the application has been officially accepted and all federal laws are followed. This change shifts the licensing process from requiring approval before construction starts to a model where construction can proceed at the applicant's own financial risk while the regulatory review is still pending. To ensure local awareness, the bill mandates that applicants notify state governors, local government officials, and nearby tribal leaders at least 15 days before starting construction. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is required to update its regulations within 180 days of the act's passage to reflect these new procedures, while retaining full authority to deny licenses if safety or operational standards are not met.

The FIRST Act establishes a new program within the Department of State to promote the international deployment of American small modular reactor technology. Managed by the Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, the program will advocate for U.S. nuclear exports, ensure high safety and security standards, and provide support for project development and workforce training abroad. The legislation requires the program to submit detailed reports and briefings to Congress every 120 days regarding its activities and funding, and it is set to expire in 2034.

The Nuclear Regulatory Modernization Act of 2026 updates how the Nuclear Regulatory Commission handles public hearings and licensing for nuclear facilities. It allows the Commission to issue permits without holding a formal hearing if no one requests one, provided they give at least 30 days of notice and publish their intent in the Federal Register. The bill also permits the construction of uranium enrichment facilities to begin before a final operating license is granted, though the NRC retains the authority to stop construction if regulatory requirements are not met. Additionally, the legislation states that these changes must be implemented in a way that respects existing bans on importing uranium from Russia.

The American Enrichment Deployment Act modifies federal rules to allow the construction of uranium enrichment facilities to begin before a full operating license is granted. This change applies to companies building these facilities, permitting them to start construction under the same conditions used for other nuclear fuel cycle projects. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission must update its regulations within 180 days to implement these new procedures while retaining its authority to oversee safety and enforce compliance.

This bill directs the Department of Energy to conduct a comprehensive study on the feasibility, costs, and risks of recycling spent nuclear fuel into usable materials for reactors and other applications. The analysis will compare recycling methods against current storage practices, evaluate different facility locations, and assess regulatory gaps in how radioactive waste is defined and managed. By the end of the year following its enactment, the department must submit a public report detailing its findings and offering policy recommendations to support the development of recycling technologies.

The Powering the Future of American Space Dominance Act directs NASA to develop and report on plans for using nuclear power and propulsion systems to support future missions to the Moon and Mars. It requires the agency to submit detailed updates on nuclear technology progress, including timelines for demonstrating radioisotope power systems and fission reactors on the lunar surface by 2030. Additionally, the bill authorizes NASA to study and potentially enter into agreements with private companies to provide power on the Moon, while also mandating a review of legal protections for commercial partners involved in space nuclear activities.

The Department of Energy Nuclear Transparency Act requires the Department to publicly announce specific actions regarding certain high-risk nuclear facilities within 24 hours of taking them. These announcements must be posted on the Department's website and include summaries of changes to safety standards, full safety analysis reports (with commercially sensitive details redacted), and agreements to authorize new facilities. Additionally, the law mandates an annual report to Congress detailing the Department's activities related to authorizing these nuclear facilities. This legislation directly affects the Department of Energy's management of nuclear sites and increases public access to information about safety measures and regulatory approvals.

The FORGE Act establishes a new program within the Department of State called FIRST to support the international deployment of small modular nuclear reactors. Managed by the Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, this program aims to promote U.S. nuclear technology abroad by facilitating diplomatic efforts, offering safety and regulatory guidance, and providing early-stage project support to help American businesses compete fairly with state-backed rivals. The legislation requires the program to submit regular reports and briefings to Congress detailing its activities, partners, and funding, and it is set to expire in 2034.

Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2027 This bill provides FY2027 appropriations for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works projects, the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation, the Department of Energy (DOE), and several independent agencies. The bill provides appropriations for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works projects, including for Investigations, Construction, Mississippi River and Tributaries, Operation and Maintenance, the Regulatory Program, Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies, Expenses, the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, and the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Program. The bill provides appropriations to the Department of the Interior for the Central Utah Project and the Bureau of Reclamation. The bill provides appropriations to DOE for energy programs, including Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation; Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response; Electricity; Nuclear Energy; Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy; Naval Petroleum and Oil Shale Reserves; the Strategic Petroleum Reserve; the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve; the Energy Information Administration; Non-Defense Environmental Cleanup; the Uranium Enrichment Decontamination and Decommissioning Fund; Science; Nuclear Waste Disposal; the Advanced Research Projects Agency—Energy; the Title 17 Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Program; the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program; the Tribal Energy Loan Guarantee Program; Indian Energy Policy and Programs; Departmental Administration; and the Office of the Inspector General. The bill also provides appropriations to DOE for Atomic Energy Defense Activities of the National Nuclear Security Administration, Environmental and Other Defense Activities, and the Power Marketing Administrations. The bill provides appropriations to several independent agencies, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The bill also sets forth requirements and restrictions for using funds provided by this and other appropriations acts.