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S5249119th Congress

MORE American Fuel Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Kelly, Mark [D-AZ]

Passed Senate

Summary

Aligns uranium enrichment licensing with other fuel-cycle facilities. This bill would shift hearing and pre-licensing rules for uranium enrichment plants, allow construction before an operating license at the applicant's risk, and expand who can request and participate in licensing hearings.

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  • Operators and project developers — Could start construction after their application is docketed if they follow federal laws and accept all financial and legal risk. Applicants must notify the state governor, local government leaders, and affected tribal governments at least 15 days before beginning construction.
  • Local, tribal, and public stakeholders — Gain broader participation because interested persons may request hearings and be admitted as parties under section 189(a)(1)(A) instead of facing a single mandatory adjudicatory hearing.
  • Nuclear Regulatory Commission — Must revise Part 70 of 10 C.F.R. within 180 days and may grant exemptions for applications filed before the new rules take effect. The bill preserves the NRC's authority to regulate construction, to deny licenses, and to allow judicial review.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

More public voice in nuclear licensing

This bill would change how hearings on uranium enrichment plants are run. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission would grant a hearing and, if asked, admit anyone whose interests would be affected as a party. It would also keep the Commission’s power to regulate construction and to deny licenses, except where this bill says otherwise. The right to court review of final Commission decisions would remain.

Updated nuclear rules and transition relief

If enacted, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission would update its Part 70 rules within 180 days to reflect these changes. For applications filed before the new rules take effect, the Commission would be able to grant exemptions from the new requirements. This would give pending projects some transition relief while the rules change.

Start building enrichment plants earlier

If enacted, companies would be able to start building a uranium enrichment plant before the operating license is issued. Work would start only after the Commission dockets the application, the work follows all federal laws, and all risk stays with the applicant. The plant would not be allowed to operate without a license. At least 15 days before starting, the applicant would send written notice to the state governor and local leaders where the site is. It would also notify any Tribal government that would be part of the site’s emergency plan.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Kelly, Mark [D-AZ]

AZ • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY]

    WY • R

    Sponsored 8/5/2026

  • Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]

    DE • D

    Sponsored 9/15/2026

  • Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]

    TN • R

    Sponsored 9/15/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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