Sponsors (5)
The bill aims to boost U.S. nuclear exports, jobs, and clearer negotiation authority by aggressively pursuing new cooperation agreements and cutting export burdens, but does so at increased taxpayer cost and with material risks to nonproliferation, safety, and other diplomatic priorities.
U.S. nuclear suppliers, investors, lenders, utilities, and related businesses could win more overseas contracts because the bill directs pursuing at least 20 new peaceful nuclear cooperation agreements and actively promotes U.S. technology, increasing export opportunities and potential revenue.
U.S. negotiators will renegotiate expiring Section 123 agreements and pursue updated intergovernmental arrangements, helping preserve legal safeguards and nonproliferation controls in partner relationships and supporting national security.
The bill directs review and recommendations to reduce statutory and regulatory export burdens, which could lower compliance costs and speed exports of U.S. nuclear goods and services for companies involved in the sector.
Pursuing many new agreements and efforts to loosen or streamline export controls could weaken negotiation leverage or reduce some nonproliferation/safety safeguards, increasing proliferation and safety risks for the public.
Implementing negotiations, promotion, and regulatory reviews across State, Commerce, and Energy will require staff time and administrative resources, increasing costs for taxpayers to support diplomatic and program activities abroad.
Focusing State Department and interagency resources on negotiating and renewing numerous nuclear cooperation agreements could divert attention and diplomatic capacity from other regional or foreign policy priorities.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Directs the State Department to secure 20 new Section 123 nuclear cooperation agreements by 2029 and creates an interagency program to boost U.S. nuclear suppliers' competitiveness abroad.
Official title: To enhance the competitiveness of the nuclear sector of the United States in foreign countries, and for other purposes.
Introduced June 30, 2025 by Keith Self · Last progress June 30, 2025
Directs the State Department to negotiate and expand civil nuclear cooperation agreements under Section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act, with a goal of securing at least 20 new agreements by January 3, 2029, and to seek renewal/renegotiation of agreements nearing expiration. Establishes an interagency program to boost the global competitiveness of U.S. nuclear suppliers, investors, and lenders by speeding intergovernmental agreements, promoting adherence to the international nuclear liability convention, identifying export-related regulatory burdens, and encouraging foreign governments to prefer U.S. nuclear technology and fuel supply chains.