Bi-partisan Senate bill supporting U.S. nuclear exports draws attention

With an eye toward growing nuclear energy dominance by Russia and China, a senate bill aimed at boosting U.S. leadership in exporting and financing civilian nuclear technology headed to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for a hearingJune 5.

If eventually passed,the Nuclear Energy Act would create a new office under the National Energy Dominance Council that was established by a February executive order , tasked with developing an international strategy to engage with foreign governments on civil nuclear exports and trade controls. 

Measures in the bill would also direct the president to launch an international initiative aimed at building up U.S. nuclear energy outreach and financing efforts, establishing a 10-year civil nuclear trade strategy with targets for exporting nuclear fuel and technology including light and non-light water reactors.

The legislation seeks to also set up financing relationships via a Strategic Infrastructure Fund Working Group, reporting to the National Security Council.  

The legislation is aimed at courting countries that have seen expanded support from Russia and China regarding nuclear technology development, and singles out India as a target for continued engagement.

The secretaries of State and Commerce Departments are also tasked with hosting bilateral meetings with at least five partner nations to enhance research and development. The effort includes, licensing and deployment of advanced nuclear reactor technology for civilian energy production within two years, with a goal of signing MOUs with such countries within 10 years.

The legislation would set up a Nuclear Exports Working Group made up of senior-level federal officials, as well as an international initiative led by the secretary of state that would offer grants of up to $5.5 million for the development of civil nuclear energy programs. The bill proposed funding mechanisms be provided to nations to hire senior advisers from U.S. nuclear energy companies to support licensing, project management, risk, technical or financing efforts.

The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations was set to review the bill at a June 5 meeting; the bi-partisan bill was sponsored by Republican Senator James Risch (Idaho) and is cosponsored by Sens. Christopher Coons (D-Del.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah).

The bill continues efforts in a prior congress by then-Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) to move forward legislation that would streamline the nuclear export control process. The Manchin-backed effort never became law. 

Coons has also introduced two other nuclear-focused bills: The Efficient Nuclear Licensing Hearings Act, which would eliminate the mandatory hearings at the NRC for new reactor applications, and the International Nuclear Energy Act, which would create a new office to coordinate financing and export strategies.

A separate but related House bill, the International Nuclear Energy Financing Act of 2025, was approved by the Financial Services Committee in March.