A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
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
The ARC Act of 2026 establishes the Accelerating Reliable Capacity Program to provide enhanced provisions for advanced nuclear energy projects. This program aims to increase cost certainty for capital-intensive projects receiving loan guarantees through the Department of Energy. It creates a specific account to manage payments to help cover certain project cost overruns. Qualifying projects must meet strict requirements regarding project delivery plans, cost estimates, and oversight. The bill also authorizes $3.6 billion for the program account. Additionally, it amends existing laws to allow certain utilities and military installation projects to receive specific benefits.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +5
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill provides enhanced financing terms and cost-overrun protection for advanced nuclear energy developers.
- Scored +5
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?
The bill specifically targets advanced nuclear energy projects to increase reliable capacity.
- Scored +4
Is this likely to create jobs?
The bill supports advanced nuclear energy projects which are capital-intensive and likely to involve significant labor and construction jobs.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill authorizes $3.6 billion in new funding for the Accelerating Reliable Capacity Program Account.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Cost Certainty for Energy Projects: The program aims to increase cost certainty for capital-intensive advanced nuclear energy projects (Section 2(a)).
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Financial Support for Cost Overruns: For qualifying projects where expenses exceed 120 percent of the point base estimate, the Director may make payments to the Federal Financing Bank to cover overruns (Section 2(d)(1) and 2(d)(2)(B)).
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Enhanced Financing Terms: The Director is authorized to offer enhanced financing terms, including guarantees that may be up to 200 percent of the point base estimate of the Class 2 estimate (Section 2(e)(2)(A)).
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Support for Military and Federal Energy Needs: The bill includes exceptions that benefit projects partnering with entities that procure energy for military installations managed by the Secretary of Defense or the General Services Administration (Section 3).
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Support for National Laboratories: The bill expands benefits to projects that benefit from National Laboratories for testing, data collection, or permitting (Section 3).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Borrower Responsibility for Initial Overruns: Borrowers are held responsible for all cost overruns until the cumulative expenses of the qualifying project exceed 120 percent of the point base estimate (Section 2(d)(1)).
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Strict Compliance Requirements: To qualify, projects must adhere to rigorous and complex requirements involving project delivery plans, Class 2 estimates, resource-loaded integrated project schedules, and labor surveys (Section 2(b)(12)).
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Conditional Funding: Amounts in the program account are contingently obligated and depend on the borrower making progress in good faith toward financial close (Section 2(c)(4)).
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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill provides enhanced financing terms and cost-overrun protection for advanced nuclear energy developers. Would union members be better off under this? — The bill requires labor survey analysis as part of the qualifying project documentation.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — The bill specifically targets advanced nuclear energy projects to increase reliable capacity. Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport? — The emphasis on energy grid connectivity through advanced nuclear projects supports general infrastructure stability.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill supports advanced nuclear energy projects which are capital-intensive and likely to involve significant labor and construction jobs. Is this likely to grow the economy? — By providing cost certainty and enhanced financing for nuclear energy, the bill aims to stabilize and grow the energy sector. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill authorizes $3.6 billion in new funding for the Accelerating Reliable Capacity Program Account.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill expands benefits for projects that utilize National Laboratories for testing and data collection.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires quarterly notifications and briefings to congressional committees regarding project progress.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill includes provisions that benefit projects partnering with entities that procure energy for military installations.
- 2/10/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Ruben GallegoDemocrat · Arizona