Read in Gila Herald: Sens. Kelly and Lummis Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Modernize Domestic Nuclear Fuel Supply
MORE American Fuel Act modernizes the federal approval process to safely expand domestic uranium enrichment while preserving environmental review and public safeguards
Today, Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) introduced the Modernizing Outdated Regulations to Expand American Fuel (MORE American Fuel) Act of 2026, bipartisan legislation to modernize the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)’s licensing process for uranium enrichment facilities. The bill safely streamlines domestic nuclear fuel production licensing to strengthen American energy independence, reduce reliance on foreign suppliers, and create high-quality jobs while preserving rigorous safety standards, environmental protections, and public transparency.
“Nuclear power is one of the most reliable sources of electricity, and we shouldn’t depend on foreign countries for the fuel that keeps our reactors running,” said Kelly. “By modernizing outdated regulations, we can strengthen our energy security, create good-paying jobs, and maintain the strong safety and environmental protections Americans expect.”
“Building a foundation for domestic uranium enrichment is crucial for Wyoming’s job and energy security,” said Lummis. “As the Russian uranium ban looms, there is no better time for the United States to build its own enrichment capacity than right now. This legislation is clear: streamline the construction of these facilities, protect American energy dominance and jobs in our states, and secure the next generation’s fleet of baseload power.”
In May, as Ranking Member of the Senate EPW Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate, and Nuclear Innovation and Safety, Kelly led a bipartisan hearing examining a package of nuclear modernization bills, including the proposal that became the MORE American Fuel Act. During the hearing, Kelly emphasized that growing electricity demand will require faster deployment of reliable nuclear power, but that permitting reform must preserve the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s independence, rigorous safety standards, environmental protections, and meaningful public participation.
Background:
Nuclear power provides approximately 18 percent of U.S. electricity generation and is expected to play an increasingly important role in meeting growing electricity demand. Yet in 2024, U.S. nuclear operators imported roughly 80 percent of their enriched uranium from foreign suppliers, including about 20 percent from Russia. As Russian uranium imports are phased out beginning in 2028, expanding domestic enrichment capacity is increasingly important to strengthen America’s energy security and supply chains.
The NRC’s licensing framework for uranium enrichment facilities is more burdensome than the process used for other fuel cycle facilities, creating unnecessary delays and costs without improving safety. The MORE American Fuel Act modernizes that process while preserving the NRC’s independent authority and maintaining environmental review and opportunities for public participation.
The MORE American Fuel Act would:
- Allow applicants to begin construction of uranium enrichment facilities after the NRC dockets an application, at the applicant’s own risk and subject to all applicable laws.
- Preserve public participation by maintaining the right to request a hearing on operating licenses while eliminating unnecessary mandatory hearings when no party seeks to participate.
- Require advance written notification to state, local, and Tribal governments before pre-license construction begins.
- Maintain environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act before any uranium may be enriched or stored on-site.
- Preserve the NRC’s full authority to review, approve, deny, condition, inspect, and oversee uranium enrichment facilities.
The MORE American Fuel Act builds on Kelly’s bipartisan work to strengthen America’s nuclear industry while protecting public health, the environment, and Tribal communities. He also authored the Legacy Mine Cleanup Act, which passed the Senate unanimously to support the cleanup of abandoned uranium mines on Tribal lands, and championed the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act, which created new tools to restore contaminated sites. Together, these measures help address the toxic legacy of old uranium and hardrock mines by advancing cleanup on Tribal lands, restoring contaminated sites, and protecting nearby communities. Kelly has also introduced the bipartisan Build Nuclear with Local Materials Act to modernize nuclear deployment, reduce construction costs, and strengthen the domestic nuclear fuel supply chain. Collectively, these efforts advance a cleaner, safer, and more secure nuclear energy future.
See what industry, energy, labor, and policy leaders are saying about the MORE American Fuel Act:
“Nuclear energy can play an important role in meeting rising energy demand, and updated uranium enrichment regulations can help unlock the next generation of nuclear reactors in the U.S. and support American competitiveness. This bill will help modernize the licensing of uranium enrichment facilities and reduce barriers to new domestic enrichment capacity, which will catalyze investment without sidestepping public engagement or environmental reviews. By creating pathways for accelerated construction and eliminating requirements for outdated and cumbersome regulatory processes, this bill supports new enrichment capacity that is vital to deploying new nuclear reactors,” said Patrick White, Advanced Nuclear Technology and Regulation Expert at Clean Air Task Force.
“Third Way applauds Senators Kelly and Lummis for introducing the MORE American Fuel Act of 2026. This bill continues important bipartisan work to secure the nuclear fuel supply chain for America’s nuclear revival. Importantly, it updates an outdated licensing process for enrichment facilities, bringing it in line with modern fuel cycle facilities, and ensures the NRC remains empowered to uphold high safety standards,” said Josh Freed, Senior Vice President for Climate and Energy at Third Way.
“Reliable access to nuclear fuel is a critical national security priority,” said ClearPath Action CEO Jeremy Harrell. “This bill builds on Congress’ efforts and investments to rebuild the domestic nuclear fuel supply chain by removing unnecessary regulatory bottlenecks that delay construction while maintaining the NRC’s licensing and safety standards. This legislation allows America to build enrichment capacity sooner, and reduce dependence on geopolitical adversaries.”
“The United States lacks the domestic uranium enrichment capacity needed to support significant growth in nuclear energy. Expanding that capacity is essential to enabling American nuclear deployment and strengthening energy security. The MORE American Fuel Act of 2026 takes an important step toward that goal by allowing developers to begin construction at their own risk once the NRC has docketed an application, removing a sequencing barrier that adds time and cost without improving safety. This approach allows construction and licensing to proceed in parallel without prejudging or limiting the NRC’s final licensing decision. The bill appropriately preserves the NRC’s full authority over the operating license while maintaining public participation and advance notice for surrounding communities. The Breakthrough Institute supports this meaningful bipartisan improvement to the enrichment licensing framework and commends Senator Kelly and Senator Lummis for their leadership,” said Dr. Adam Stein, Director of Nuclear Energy Innovation at The Breakthrough Institute.
“A reliable nuclear fuel supply chain is critical for the long-term success of nuclear energy, which is why Congress, DOE, and industry are working to reduce our reliance on foreign suppliers and build the domestic infrastructure required to supply the nation’s nuclear fuel needs. The MORE American Fuel Act of 2026, if enacted into law, would accelerate efforts to increase domestic uranium enrichment capacity. It would provide a more efficient regulatory pathway for new enrichment facilities. NIA welcomes the MORE American Fuel Act as a meaningful step toward improving the NRC licensing framework for future enrichment facilities,” said Judi Greenwald, President and CEO of Nuclear Innovation Alliance (NIA).
“NEI supports the MORE American Fuel Act of 2026. By aligning the licensing process for uranium enrichment facilities with other nuclear fuel cycle facilities, this bipartisan legislation would reduce unnecessary project delays and support the timely expansion of domestic enrichment capacity which is essential to strengthening America’s energy security,” said Jack Britt, Sr. Director, Fuel at Nuclear Energy Institute.
“General Matter applauds Senators Kelly and Lummis for their bipartisan leadership in introducing this important legislation,” said Scott Nolan, Founder and CEO of General Matter. “By providing regulatory clarity while maintaining the NRC’s rigorous oversight, this commonsense revision will help restore American leadership in uranium enrichment, strengthen the domestic nuclear fuel supply chain, and reinforce our national and energy security.”
“Strengthening America’s energy security through a robust nuclear renaissance requires a strong and diversified made-in-the-USA nuclear fuel supply. Orano’s ongoing development of the Project IKE uranium enrichment facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, represents the potential supply of nearly 30% of the nation’s current needs—about the same amount that the U.S. currently imports from Russia. The MORE American Fuel Act of 2026 supports the thoughtful and timely consideration of uranium enrichment facility license applications, while increasing project development efficiencies and enabling accelerated timelines for completion. We applaud Senator Mark Kelly’s leadership developing this legislation and his proactive efforts to achieve expanded nuclear fuel production in tandem with the launch of new reactors and generation capacity.” said Jean-Luc Palayer, CEO, Orano USA.
Click here to read the full text of the bill. Click here for a one-pager.
Source: Arizona Senator Mark Kelly