Summary

Prohibits the Department of Energy from using money in the Nuclear Waste Fund for repository siting or development activities unless it first enters written, binding agreements with the state governor, each affected local government, any contiguous local governments along transport routes, and each affected Indian tribe. Those agreements must be signed, binding, and can be changed or revoked only by mutual consent of all parties. The bill relies on existing definitions in the Nuclear Waste Policy Act for terms such as “affected Indian tribe,” “affected unit of local government,” “high-level radioactive waste,” and “repository,” and does not create new definitions.

Key Points

• Blocks Nuclear Waste Fund spending on repository siting/development unless written, binding agreements are signed by the governor, affected local governments, contiguous transport-route local governments, and affected tribes.
• Requires agreements to be written, signed, legally binding, and modifiable or revocable only by mutual consent.
• Relies on existing Nuclear Waste Policy Act definitions and does not add new statutory definitions.
• Applies to activities funded from the Nuclear Waste Fund — funds earmarked for nuclear waste management and related programs.
• Gives states, local governments, and tribes effective leverage over repository siting and development funded from the Nuclear Waste Fund.
• Could delay or halt repository siting/development efforts if required agreements are not reached.
• Targets the process and conditions for spending rather than changing technical standards, safety rules, or permitting procedures.
• Does not appropriate new funds or change the tax code.

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