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Yesterday, Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH-5) and Congressman Scott Peters (D-CA-50) introduced the Nuclear REFUEL Act, a bipartisan, bicameral bill to help increase investment of nuclear energy in the United States. Senators Jon Husted (R-OH) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) are leading the effort in the Senate.

“It’s important that we make it easier to produce more energy in this country – not less,” Congressman Latta said. “The Nuclear REFUEL Act will streamline nuclear regulatory licensing and increase investment of nuclear energy right here in the United States, helping to unleash American energy. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan solution with my colleague, Rep. Peters, so we can get back on track to establishing American energy dominance.” 

“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,” Congressman 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.” 

“Ohioans need reliable and affordable energy sources, and America’s national and economic security depends on onshoring and expanding energy production. The Nuclear REFUEL Act would inject additional sustainable energy options into our economy by expanding clean nuclear energy production here at home. I am proud to lead this bill because it would give our homes and businesses more of those choices,” said Senator Husted.

“More zero-emission nuclear power can help meet our growing energy demand while strengthening our energy independence and national security. By making it easier to safely recycle spent nuclear fuel, we can reduce nuclear waste, lower energy costs, and further America’s longstanding global leadership in nuclear energy. I’m pleased to co-lead another bipartisan, bicameral nuclear bill to support U.S. clean energy dominance,” said Senator Whitehouse.

“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. 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,” said Jacob DeWitte, co-founder and CEO of Oklo Inc.

“For decades, the United States government has failed to provide a meaningful solution for what to do with spent nuclear fuel. Technology currently exists to recycle the roughly 95% of spent nuclear fuel’s remaining energy generation capability to refuel nuclear reactors, and as a country we should do so. Recycling will help secure our domestic nuclear fuel supply and help alleviate the massive cost that onsite storage has burdened American taxpayers with for far too long. USNIC commends Senator Husted for introducing the Nuclear REFUEL Act and encourages the Senate to act swiftly to move this legislation forward,” said the United States Nuclear Industry Council.

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.