International Nuclear Energy Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator James Risch
In Committee
Summary
Accelerate U.S. civil nuclear exports and financing. This bill would create a White House office and a Nuclear Exports Working Group to build a 10-year export strategy, coordinate financing and training, and push allied demonstrations of advanced reactors.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Study of a strategic infrastructure fund
If enacted, a White House-led Working Group would design a proposed Strategic Infrastructure Fund to support big projects, including civil nuclear technologies. The group must brief Congress within 180 days and submit draft legislative text within one year. The report would include suggested rules requiring the Secretary of State or a designee to administer any fund. The working group authority would end 20 years after enactment.
White House nuclear export strategy
If enacted, the President would create an Office in the White House to coordinate U.S. civil nuclear exports. A Nuclear Exports Working Group would produce a 10-year trade strategy with biennial export targets within one year. The President would launch an initiative to modernize outreach, build financing relationships, and work with the Export-Import Bank. The law would also require a cabinet-level nuclear safety conference every two years.
Help for countries starting nuclear programs
If enacted, the President would study and could establish an Advanced Reactor Coordination and Resource Center to help countries plan nuclear programs. The Secretary of State could use up to $50 million in FY2026–2030 for grants and could award grants up to $5.5 million each (no more than one grant per country per year and no more than five grants total per country). The State Department could also fund senior advisors and the Inspectors General must submit an oversight plan within one year. The bill defines who counts as an 'embarking civil nuclear nation' and excludes specified countries like China and Russia.
U.S.-India nuclear liability talks
If enacted, the Secretary of State would set up a joint consultative forum with India to assess the 2008 cooperation agreement and to discuss aligning India's nuclear liability rules with international norms. A report would be due within 180 days and then annually for five years. The forum would help guide bilateral and multilateral engagement on liability alignment.
Allied meetings to share reactor costs
If enacted, the Secretaries of State, Energy, and Commerce would meet with at least five partner nations within two years to plan advanced reactor R&D, licensing, demonstrations, and deployment over a 10-year window. They would seek financing arrangements to share demonstration and deployment costs and report within one year on potential cost-share partners. These meetings aim to coordinate allied support for demonstrations.
Competition waivers to help exporters
If enacted, the Energy Policy Act would be amended to let the Secretary of Energy (with the Secretary of State) promote U.S. reactors and services, including designating U.S. companies to implement projects abroad. The Secretary could waive some competition rules after consulting the Attorney General and Commerce. The Secretary must also consider and may facilitate waivers of certain DOE competitiveness clauses to enable financing with allies. Up to $15.5 million may be used in FY2026–2030 for these actions.
20-year limit and legal guardrails
If enacted, the Act and its amendments would expire 20 years after enactment. The bill would also say that, except as stated, it does not change section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act or the requirement to send agreements under that section to Congress. These rules limit how long new authorities last and preserve existing congressional oversight.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
James Risch
ID • R
Cosponsors
Christopher Coons
DE • D
Sponsored 5/19/2025
Mike Lee
UT • R
Sponsored 5/19/2025
Martin Heinrich
NM • D
Sponsored 5/19/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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