A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is called the "Advancing Research in Nuclear Fuel Recycling Act." It requires the Secretary of Energy to carry out a study on new technologies and opportunities for recycling spent nuclear fuel. The Secretary must complete this study within 90 days of the bill's enactment. Following the study, a public report detailing the results must be submitted to specific congressional committees within one year. The report cannot be more than 120 pages and must be written for a nonspecialist readership.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +5
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The legislation mandates a comprehensive study by the Department of Energy regarding nuclear fuel recycling technologies and applications.
- Scored +3
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
Requires a public report written for a nonspecialist readership to detail nuclear waste management findings and regulatory gaps.
- Scored +3
Does this put more money into medical research?
The bill mandates a study on nuclear fuel recycling and isotope extraction which supports advanced technology and medical applications.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2(b)(3) analyzes the technical and economic feasibility of extracting certain isotopes needed for domestic and international use, including medical, industrial, space-based power source, and advanced-battery applications. This could be positive because it might lead to better availability of isotopes used for medicine and other technology.
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Section 2(b)(5) identifies parties, including individuals, communities, businesses, and local and Tribal governments, that are impacted by the current practice of indefinite temporary storage of spent nuclear fuel, and assesses potential risks and benefits if that fuel is removed from their sites. This could be positive because it looks out for the well-being of communities currently living near temporary nuclear waste storage.
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Section 2(b)(8) identifies regulatory gaps and definitions related to nuclear waste management and makes recommendations for modernizing them. This could be positive because clearer and more accurate federal rules can help government officials manage waste more effectively and transparently.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Section 2(b)(1) requires analyzing the risks, including proliferation, of using dedicated recycling facilities to convert spent nuclear fuel into usable nuclear fuels. This could be considered a negative outcome or burden because the process involves inherent security risks like nuclear proliferation.
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Section 2(b)(5) notes that communities currently storing spent nuclear fuel face economic, health, safety, or environmental risks from the current practice, and the study will assess potential risks should the fuel be removed. This highlights that these communities face ongoing burdens and potential safety risks regarding nuclear waste storage locations.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The legislation mandates a comprehensive study by the Department of Energy regarding nuclear fuel recycling technologies and applications. Does this put more into space exploration? — The study evaluates extracting isotopes for space-based power sources and other advanced applications.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Requires a public report written for a nonspecialist readership to detail nuclear waste management findings and regulatory gaps. Does this give the federal government more power? — Directs the Department of Energy to perform a federal study and report back to Congress on nuclear waste management.
- Healthcare
- Does this put more money into medical research? — The bill mandates a study on nuclear fuel recycling and isotope extraction which supports advanced technology and medical applications.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill explicitly considers impacts on local and Tribal communities currently hosting temporary nuclear waste storage sites.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill assesses risks and regulatory gaps regarding spent nuclear fuel storage, potentially improving future environmental management.
- 6/8/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Scott PetersDemocrat · California