Nuclear Waste Informed Consent Act
Sponsored By: Senator Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Introduced
Summary
Consent from states, local governments, and tribes is required before using Nuclear Waste Fund money for a repository. The bill would bar the Department of Energy from spending Nuclear Waste Fund dollars on repository-related activities unless the Secretary has written, signed, and binding agreements with the state governor, each affected unit of local government, any contiguous local governments along transport routes, and each affected Indian tribe. Agreements could be changed only by mutual consent of the parties.
Show full summary
- States and governors: Gives governors a formal role to approve or block use of Nuclear Waste Fund money for a repository in their state by requiring a signed, binding agreement.
- Local governments and neighbors: Requires each affected local government and any neighboring local governments on waste transport routes to sign binding agreements before related spending can occur.
- Affected Indian tribes: Requires each affected tribe to enter a written, signed, and binding agreement that cannot be amended or revoked without mutual agreement.
- Department of Energy and funding: Limits DOE use of the Nuclear Waste Fund for repository development and related activities until those consent agreements are in place.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Local and Tribal Consent for Nuclear Waste
If enacted, the Secretary of Energy would not be allowed to spend Nuclear Waste Fund money on certain repository activities unless written, signed, binding agreements exist. The agreements would have to be with the Governor of the State where the repository is proposed, each affected local government, any contiguous local government the waste would be transported through, and each affected Indian tribe. Any agreement could not be changed or ended except by mutual agreement of the parties. This rule would apply to expenditures for the costs described in paragraphs (4) and (5) of 42 U.S.C. 10222(d).
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
NV • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]
NV • D
Sponsored 1/15/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov