Small Modular Reactor Commercialization Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4]
Introduced
Summary
Raises per-reactor size limits and aligns federal support to speed commercialization of small modular reactors (SMRs). This bill would increase the electrical output thresholds that define SMRs, expand DOE funding eligibility, and create a cross-agency working group to push manufacturing, workforce, and regulatory alignment.
Show full summary
- Would broaden who counts as an SMR and which designs qualify for support. It raises per-unit output from 300 MW to 500 MW and lifts the combined-site cap to 1,500 MW, and it updates the SMR threshold used in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act from 300 to 500.
- Would direct the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Department of Energy to revise guidance on maximum electrical output. It would also prohibit DOE from denying award eligibility solely because a single reactor unit exceeds any megawatt threshold within the 50–500 MW range.
- Would create a DOE-chaired Small Modular Reactor Commercialization and Industrialization Competitiveness Working Group with multiple federal agencies. The group would identify NRC- or foreign-approved technologies, promote U.S. manufacturing investment, assess workforce readiness, set strategic R&D goals, consider hosting policies for units deployed abroad, and require DOE to report findings to Congress annually through 2030.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
New federal team to boost SMRs
The bill would create a working group to speed SMR commercialization. It would be chaired by the Energy Secretary or a designee, with members from DOE, Defense, State, Commerce, Interior, Treasury, and the NRC, and others as needed. The group would identify ready technologies, support U.S. manufacturing and jobs, and set R&D goals. DOE would send Congress a report each year by December 1 through 2030.
Clearer SMR definitions and higher size caps
If enacted, the bill would raise legal size limits for small modular reactors. The per‑unit cap would go from 300,000 kW to 500,000 kW, and the combined site cap would go from 1,300,000 kW to 1,500,000 kW. It would define microreactors as under 50 MW and SMRs as under 500 MW that can be paired on one site. It would also change an Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act threshold from 300 to 500 to match. NRC and DOE would need to update their guidance to align with these definitions.
Wider DOE funding access for SMRs
The bill would bar DOE from excluding projects just because a single reactor unit falls between 50 and 500 MW. This would let more SMR designs apply for DOE grants or agreements. DOE could still make awards under solicitations issued before enactment as written. The rule would take effect upon enactment.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4]
IN • R
Cosponsors
Tenney
NY • R
Sponsored 4/10/2025
Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10]
NC • R
Sponsored 4/10/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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