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Today, Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH5) and Congressman Scott Peters (D-CA50) introduced the Nuclear REFUEL Act to streamline licensing requirements for nuclear fuel recycling facilities, which will help increase investment of nuclear energy in the United States.

“Restoring U.S. energy dominance is a top priority of mine on the Energy and Commerce Committee, and by advancing an all-of-the-above energy strategy that embraces nuclear power – I’m confident we will reach that goal," Latta said. "That’s why I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan solution with my colleague, Rep. Peters, which will streamline nuclear regulatory licensing and increase investment of nuclear energy right here in the United States. I’m committed to advancing commonsense policies that make it easier to produce more energy in this country – not less. That’s exactly what the Nuclear REFUEL Act will accomplish.”

“We must find a way to recycle nuclear fuel to reduce nuclear waste and make nuclear power, which can help reduce air pollution, more economically viable,” Peters said. “Right now, nuclear operators are not allowed to recycle and reuse spent fuel responsibly, but our bill will change that by creating a regulatory pathway to allow the practice. While we work toward a permanent long-term solution to nuclear waste storage and disposal, proposals like this will help us safely utilize nuclear waste.”

"With this bill, Congress is stepping up in a bipartisan way to provide solutions for fuel availability for advanced reactors and for used fuel management," co-founder and CEO of Oklo Inc. Jacob DeWitte said. "This helps accelerate the deployment and adoption of clean energy powered by advanced fission technologies. The changes proposed in this legislation will facilitate efficient NRC licensing for facilities that recycle used nuclear fuel and produce fuel for advanced reactors. Domestic recycling of used nuclear fuel also enhances the supply chain resilience and security of nuclear fuel for advanced nuclear power plants, like Oklo's powerhouse, securing America’s future of clean energy abundance."

"Rep. Latta’s Nuclear REFUEL Act will clear the path for used nuclear fuel recycling for advanced reactors," ClearPath Action CEO Jeremy Harrell said. "Innovative recycling technologies, which are more proliferation resistant, could get more clarity at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission with a simple definition change."  

"Curio commends Congressman Latta for his strong support of the U.S. nuclear energy sector including an efficient and cost-effective regulatory process," President and CEO of Curio Ed McGinnis said. "To unlock the full potential of nuclear energy, it is essential that we address the challenges of the backend of the nuclear fuel cycle by recycling the spent nuclear fuel. Congressman Latta’s efforts are helping to guide us toward that goal."

Background

Nuclear fuel recycling technology, known as pyroprocessing, creates a uranium-transuranic (U/TRU) mixed fuel that can be used by advanced fast reactors to make energy while reducing the amount of nuclear waste. 

Currently, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission does not clearly state which regulatory pathway they will use to license recycling facilities that do not separate plutonium. They could be licensed under two categories: Part 50 or Part 70.

Part 50 is typically targeted towards reactors (licensing utilization and production facilities), while Part 70 licensing focuses on fuel cycle (licensing uranium enrichment or fuel fabrication facilities).

The Nuclear REFUEL Act will clarify that a U/TRU facility would be licensed only under Part 70, which is a single-step licensing process and would significantly streamline the licensing requirements for fuel recycling facilities which will revitalize domestic investment in nuclear energy.