Sponsors (4)
The bill seeks to expand U.S. civil nuclear exports, safety assistance, and interagency coordination to boost industry competitiveness and strengthen global safeguards — while creating meaningful taxpayer exposure, potential proliferation and environmental risks, and risks of politicization and preferential treatment that will require careful oversight and safeguards to manage.
U.S. nuclear companies, utilities, and energy exporters gain substantially expanded market access, clearer eligibility rules, and coordinated federal support (financing, Export-Import Bank backing, designated implementers and standardized templates) that make it easier to win and execute overseas civil nuclear projects.
Countries embarking on civil nuclear programs — and the global community — receive strengthened safety, security, safeguards, and regulatory assistance (training, IAEA capacity support, technical advisors, and standards), which reduces the risk of accidents, theft, and proliferation when programs are properly implemented.
Federal agencies and U.S. diplomacy get better coordination, planning, and oversight mechanisms (center models, required reports, interagency roles, joint IG audits) that increase policy coherence, congressional visibility, and implementation capacity for international civil nuclear engagement.
U.S. taxpayers face increased fiscal exposure and contingent liabilities from funding program operations, direct appropriations (~$50M + $15.5M), and potential financing guarantees or subsidies tied to foreign civil nuclear projects.
Expanding civil nuclear exports and advisory support to countries with limited regulatory capacity could increase proliferation and safety risks — raising the chance of misuse, accidents, or security incidents if safeguards are inadequate or poorly enforced.
Shifting investment control and export coordination toward the State Department and White House offices (including NSC reporting) risks politicizing infrastructure and export decisions and could reduce independent agency or congressional oversight and routine transparency.
Based on analysis of 13 sections of legislative text.
Creates a whole-of-government U.S. program to coordinate, finance, and export civil nuclear technology to countries starting nuclear programs, including new offices, grants, and international partnerships.
Introduced May 19, 2025 by James Risch · Last progress May 19, 2025
Requires the U.S. government to build a coordinated, whole-of-government program to promote safe civil nuclear energy abroad by helping countries that are starting nuclear programs. It directs creation of a White House office and interagency working groups, new financing and grant authorities, training and advisory support, international meetings, and strategies to bolster U.S. nuclear exports and counter non-U.S. financing from China and Russia. Sets definitions and exclusions for which countries may be assisted, authorizes multi-year grant and contracting funds (from existing foreign assistance accounts), directs bilateral and multilateral outreach and cost-share talks, and requires periodic reports, audits, and biennial international conferences on safety, security, safeguards, and sustainability.