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119-hr-1012119th Congress

Spent Fuel Prioritization Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Levin, Mike [D-CA-49]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would prioritize which civilian reactors' spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste get accepted first. It directs the Energy Secretary to rank acceptance order using four factors: whether a reactor is decommissioned, local population size, earthquake hazard per USGS maps, and national security risk determined with Defense and Homeland Security.

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  • Families and local governments near reactors: Sites near decommissioned or decommissioning reactors would be moved up the list for federal acceptance of waste, which could speed removal from some communities.
  • Reactor owners and decommissioning projects: Operators of reactors that are shut down or being decommissioned would get top priority when offering spent fuel for storage or disposal.
  • Federal planners and security officials: The Secretary would use USGS seismic-hazard information and consult the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security to prioritize areas with high earthquake risk or security concerns.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Proposed priority rules for nuclear waste

If enacted, the Secretary would set the order for taking high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel from civilian reactors. Top priority would go, in order, to reactors that are decommissioned or decommissioning; in areas with the largest population (as the Secretary determines); in areas with the highest earthquake hazard on USGS maps; and where continued storage poses a significant national security concern, decided with Defense and Homeland Security. This could move fuel sooner from retired plants, dense cities, high-quake zones, or high-risk sites. The rule would apply to acceptance for disposal or storage and would take effect upon enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Levin, Mike [D-CA-49]

CA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Issa, Darrell [R-CA-48]

    CA • R

    Sponsored 2/5/2025

  • Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40]

    CA • R

    Sponsored 2/5/2025

  • Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 2/5/2025

  • Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 2/5/2025

  • Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 2/5/2025

  • Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 7/29/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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