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S5249119th CongressWALLET

MORE American Fuel Act of 2026

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

Introduced

Summary

Modernize the licensing system for uranium enrichment facilities. This bill would align their permitting and hearings with other fuel-cycle facilities and let developers begin construction before a license is issued under defined, risk-based conditions.

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  • Developers and project owners: Would be allowed to start construction after the Nuclear Regulatory Commission dockets an application. Construction must follow federal law and would proceed at the applicant's sole risk.
  • State, local, and Tribal officials: Applicants must certify at least 15 days before starting construction that they will notify the state governor, local chief executives and governing bodies, and Tribes with jurisdiction over land in the facility's emergency plan area.
  • Regulators and legal process: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission would replace the mandatory single adjudicatory hearing with hearings under section 189(a)(1)(A) open to interested parties. NRC would have 180 days to revise Part 70 rules and may grant exemptions for pending applications while retaining authority to regulate construction, deny licenses, and face judicial review.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

More public hearings for local communities

If enacted, the bill would require the agency to grant hearings under the federal hearing rules for uranium enrichment licenses. Anyone whose interest is affected by an enrichment facility could ask for a hearing. They could be admitted as a party in the licensing case. This would expand who can take part in licensing decisions.

Grandfather pending enrichment license applications

If enacted, the bill would allow the agency to grant an exemption letting applicants use the regulatory requirements that were in effect on the date they filed. This applies only to license applications filed before the new Part 70 rules take effect. The exemption is discretionary and must follow the Act and its amendments.

Allow pre-license construction with notice

If enacted, the bill would let applicants begin building a uranium enrichment facility before an operation license is issued. Construction could only start after the agency dockets the application, must follow all federal laws, and would be entirely at the applicant's risk. Applicants would have to certify they will send written notice at least 15 days before starting to the State Governor, relevant local governments, and Tribal governing bodies. The agency would still be able to regulate construction and deny licenses for noncompliance.

Nuclear regulators must update rules

If enacted, the bill would require the agency to revise Part 70 of its rules to reflect the statutory changes. The agency would have to finish those rule updates not later than 180 days after enactment. This sets a short deadline for agency rulemaking and may change compliance obligations for applicants and operators.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Kelly, Mark [D-AZ]

AZ • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY]

    WY • R

    Sponsored 8/5/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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