Nuclear REFUEL Act of 2025

This bill changes how the federal government labels certain nuclear equipment. It says that a device that recycles used nuclear fuel, as long as it does not separate out plutonium from other heavy elements, will not be treated as a “production facility.” The law already covers things like splitting out uranium-235; this adds a clear carve‑out for certain recycling methods that keep plutonium mixed with other materials .

In plain terms, this could make it easier for some new nuclear recycling technologies to get approved, because they would face different rules than full production facilities. That may affect how quickly companies can build or use these systems, and how communities near nuclear plants handle used fuel in the future .

• Who is affected: Nuclear energy companies, technology developers, and communities near nuclear facilities
• What changes: Certain fuel‑recycling devices that do not separate plutonium are excluded from the “production facility” category, which can change licensing and oversight paths
• When: Takes effect if and when the bill becomes law