All Roll Calls
Yes: 672 • No: 17
118-s-870118th CongressWALLET
An act to authorize appropriations for the United States Fire Administration and firefighter assistance grant programs, to advance the benefits of nuclear energy, and for other purposes.
Sponsored By: Senator Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
Became Law
Summary
This law reauthorizes major firefighter grant programs and accelerates deployment and licensing of advanced nuclear technologies. It pairs multi‑year funding for local fire response with wide-ranging changes to Nuclear Regulatory Commission rules, fees, workforce hiring, and licensing paths for new reactors.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
15 provisions identified: 12 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
More funding for local fire departments
The law funds fire safety grants at $750 million each year for 2024–2028. It keeps the SAFER staffing grant program going through 2030. It gives the U.S. Fire Administration $95 million each year for 2024–2028, with $3.42 million each year set aside for section 8(f). Within three years, GAO must report on barriers that keep fire departments from getting federal funds.
Clearer rules for micro-reactors and industry
The NRC must write risk‑informed guidance to license micro‑reactors within 18 months and put it in place within three years. The guidance covers staffing, safeguards, emergency planning, siting (including mobile use), transport, and decommissioning funds. The NRC must also report within 270 days on licensing issues for flexible and nonelectric reactor uses, with costs, budgets, and timelines.
Defined path for fusion machines
The law defines a "fusion machine." The NRC must study design‑specific, risk‑ and performance‑based licensing for mass‑manufactured fusion machines and report to Congress within one year. The report must include a timeline and consider whether aircraft certification is a good model, in consultation with states and industry.
Faster approval for advanced reactor fuels
The NRC must create a program to speed testing and licensing of advanced fuels. Within 180 days, the NRC and DOE must sign an agreement to share expertise, tests, and data. Within two years, the NRC must report on its readiness to review listed fuel types and the research still needed.
Faster reactor reviews at known sites
Developers can get a faster combined license if they use a certified (or similar) design on or next to a site that hosted a licensed reactor and are not under an NRC suspension order. The NRC aims to finish technical review and the final environmental study within 18 months, hearings within two years, and a final decision within 25 months. For new projects on previously licensed sites, the NRC must use prior licensing information when possible. The NRC must speed up environmental reviews, consider more use of environmental assessments and categorical exclusions, and may use an applicant’s EIS as the draft EIS. It must also set strategies and rulemaking to enable nuclear projects on retired fossil fuel and brownfield sites, with reports at 14 months and three years.
Lower NRC licensing fees and caps
Starting October 1, 2025, advanced reactor applicants pay an hourly review fee no higher than the mission‑direct salary and benefits rate. The fee base must exclude mission‑indirect and agency support costs, and some changes sunset September 30, 2030. NRC corporate support spending is capped at 30% of the agency’s budget starting in fiscal 2025, and certain costs are excluded from that cap. The law removes early site‑permit reviews on DOE or national‑security sites and international export/innovation work from the fee base on October 1, 2025. NRC may create an international export and innovation branch, and it must shorten one performance metric to 90 days and report to Congress within three years on implementation.
More foreign investors can own reactors
Entities from OECD countries and India can receive certain reactor facility licenses if the NRC finds no risk to defense, security, or public safety. Countries under CAATSA section 231 sanctions and people on the OFAC sanctions list are excluded. CFIUS review authority is unchanged.
NRC must speed and modernize reviews
The Director of Nuclear Reactor Regulation must create and update guidance to make licensing reviews faster and more predictable. The Commission must run license and transfer reviews efficiently and on time. Within one year, the NRC must report specific steps to modernize inspections and oversight, cut duplication, and use technology (including AI), with actions and timelines.
Limits on Russian or Chinese reactor fuel
Companies under NRC rules cannot own or possess certain reactor fuel made outside the U.S. by Russian‑ or Chinese‑controlled entities unless they get a specific license. The NRC must notify the Energy and State Departments within 30 days of an application. Energy and State have 180 days to make a joint decision. The NRC cannot issue the license without that decision.
New traineeships for nuclear careers
The NRC creates a traineeship program for nuclear jobs. Awards are competitive and focus on critical skills. The NRC will work with DOE, labs, colleges, trade schools, and industry. Each year, the NRC will review workforce needs to target training topics.
DOE to report nuclear waste costs
Beginning January 1, 2026, DOE must send Congress a report every two years on nuclear waste costs and liabilities. It must list payments to contract holders, DOE spending since fiscal 2008, projected costs through 2050, and interim storage actions. It must also recommend better ways to track these liabilities.
Study on advanced nuclear manufacturing
Within 180 days, the NRC must report on licensing issues for advanced manufacturing and fast construction methods. The study covers component rules, transport of fueled cores, safety gaps, effects on U.S. manufacturing, and includes cost estimates, budgets, and timelines for guidance.
Cash awards for NRC licensing fees
Non‑federal entities and TVA can get a one‑time prize that reimburses NRC licensing fees. The award equals the fees charged to the applicant, but cannot exceed what the applicant spent from non‑federal funds minus the required cost‑share. TVA power program money is not treated as federal funds. Awards are paid only if Congress provides money, and recipients do not have to repay them.
Caps on sales by research reactors
Licensed research facilities can devote no more than 75% of yearly operating costs to selling energy and other services. No more than 50% can be for selling energy alone. These limits apply upon enactment.
Tighter export checks and U.S. strategy
When certain nuclear exports go to countries without key safety treaties, the NRC must consult State and tell Congress about the license. The Energy Department must review and update the list of generally authorized destinations under Part 810 on a set schedule. The law keeps the State Department’s authorities unchanged. The NRC must report on work with Canada about nuclear waste in the Great Lakes within one year. DOE must study the global civilian nuclear industry and supply chains within one year and send the study to Congress within 180 days.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
MI • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
ME • R
Sponsored 3/16/2023
Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
AK • R
Sponsored 3/16/2023
Sen. Carper, Thomas R. [D-DE]
DE • D
Sponsored 3/16/2023
Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
DE • D
Sponsored 3/27/2023
Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS]
KS • R
Sponsored 3/27/2023
Sen. Boozman, John [R-AR]
AR • R
Sponsored 3/27/2023
Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
NM • D
Sponsored 3/27/2023
Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD]
SD • R
Sponsored 3/28/2023
Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]
ME • I
Sponsored 3/28/2023
Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]
AK • R
Sponsored 3/28/2023
Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
MT • D
Sponsored 3/28/2023
Rep. Sinema, Kyrsten [D-AZ-9]
AZ • D
Sponsored 3/28/2023
Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
OH • D
Sponsored 6/17/2024
Sen. Manchin, Joe, III [D-WV]
WV • D
Sponsored 6/18/2024
Roll Call Votes
senate vote • 6/18/2024
On the Motion (Motion to Concur in the House Amendments to S. 870 )
Yes: 88 • No: 2
house vote • 5/8/2024
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended
Yes: 393 • No: 13
senate vote • 4/20/2023
On Passage of the Bill S. 870
Yes: 95 • No: 2
senate vote • 3/29/2023
On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed S. 870
Yes: 96 • No: 0