A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Committee on Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate, and Nuclear Innovation and Safety. Hearings held.
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, known as the ``Build Nuclear with Local Materials Act of 2026'', aims to change how nuclear power plants are constructed. It requires the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to start a rulemaking process within 90 days of the bill becoming law. This process would allow for the use of commercial-grade steel and concrete in structures that are not considered safety-related. However, the Commission maintains the power to require stricter material standards if they find a specific safety risk. Such a determination would be necessary if the standard materials are contrary to common defense, security, or the protection of public health and safety.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +4
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?
The bill facilitates the construction of nuclear power plants, which are a source of low-carbon energy.
- Scored +4
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill provides more flexible and potentially cheaper material options for those in the nuclear construction and energy industries.
- Scored +3
Is this likely to create jobs?
Allowing commercial-grade materials may reduce construction costs and accelerate nuclear power plant development.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Authorization of commercial-grade materials: The bill requires the Commission to initiate a rulemaking that allows the use of commercial-grade steel and concrete in non-safety-related structures at nuclear power plants (Section 2(a)). This could potentially change how materials are used in the construction of these plants.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Potential for safety risks: The Commission can determine that stricter material standards are necessary if using commercial-grade materials would be contrary to the common defense, security, and adequate protection of public health and safety (Section 2(b)).
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.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — The bill facilitates the construction of nuclear power plants, which are a source of low-carbon energy. Does this invest in rural communities? — Nuclear energy infrastructure can provide stable energy and economic activity for rural areas.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill provides more flexible and potentially cheaper material options for those in the nuclear construction and energy industries. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Increased nuclear capacity may contribute to long-term energy stability for urban centers.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — Allowing commercial-grade materials may reduce construction costs and accelerate nuclear power plant development. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill could lower barriers to entry for construction and material supply companies working on nuclear infrastructure.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill mandates the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to initiate a new rulemaking process.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — By allowing more efficient nuclear construction, the bill could indirectly support long-term energy security.
- 5/20/2026
- Committee on Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate, and Nuclear Innovation and Safety. Hearings held.
- 5/14/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Mark KellyDemocrat · Arizona