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119-hr-6613119th CongressWALLET

Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large]

In Committee

Summary

Gives nearby communities more control and funding during nuclear plant decommissioning. The bill requires state and Tribal consultation, expands public notice and comment, creates dedicated local recovery accounts, and funds Community Advisory Boards to support affected residents.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Community advisory board grants

If enacted, the bill would create a Community Advisory Board Fund in the Treasury and require licensees to pay a $500,000 deposit when they submit certain post‑shutdown plans. The NRC would set up a short‑term grant program within 180 days and a long‑term program within one year. The short‑term program is authorized at $12.5 million for fiscal years 2026–2028. Grants and subgrants could pay for experts, administration, travel, communications, and other CAB costs. Small, rural, or disadvantaged communities would not face cost‑sharing for qualifying CAB activities.

Payments for stranded spent fuel

If enacted, the bill would create a noncompetitive grant program for local governments that host decommissioned or decommissioning civilian nuclear plants storing spent fuel. The Department of Energy would set up the program within 60 days of enactment. Grants would pay $15 for each kilogram of spent nuclear fuel stored at an eligible plant. Each local government could receive only one grant per plant per fiscal year. The program is authorized as needed for fiscal years 2026 through 2035.

Grants for host community recovery

If enacted, the bill would make licensees put money into a Treasury account for each covered nuclear plant. Licensees would keep the account balance at least 2% of a specified decommissioning amount each year. If a decommissioning trust exists, the 2% is of the trust plus the account. If no trust exists, the 2% is of the greater of non‑trust assurances or the regulatory minimum. For plants already decommissioning, licensees would make a one‑time 2% transfer within one year of enactment. The Secretary would use the accounts to award grants for local economic development planning and projects, and the money would be available without further appropriation.

Stronger public review for shutdown plans

If enacted, the bill would require licensees and transferees to consult affected States, Tribal governments, and local units within 50 miles before submitting a post‑shutdown decommissioning plan or license transfer. The NRC would publish the proposal (with narrow redactions), hold at least two public meetings in the host State, and solicit public comment for at least 90 days. The NRC must decide within one year after submission and must evaluate health, implementation likelihood, legal compliance, and whether funding is adequate based on host State site assessments. The bill would also require compliance with State environmental standards that are more protective than federal law.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large]

VT • D

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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