Risch Bill to Boost U.S. Nuclear Energy Competitiveness Signed into Law

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) celebrated that his bill to support the U.S. domestic nuclear energy industry's leadership and offset China and Russia's growing influence on international nuclear energy development was signed into law by President Donald Trump. Senator Risch's International Nuclear Energy Act was included as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act.

"Idaho, and the U.S. as a whole, has long been a leader in nuclear energy development," said Risch. "Now that my International Nuclear Energy Acthas been signed into law by President Trump, the U.S. will have the tools to continue to outcompete China and Russia and build long-lasting nuclear energy deals that benefit our economy and national security."

The International Nuclear Energy Act will:

• Support U.S. civil nuclear exports strategy by establishing financing relationships; promoting regulatory harmonization; enhancing safeguards and security; promoting standardization of licensing framework; and creating a nuclear exports working group;
• Create programs to facilitate international nuclear energy cooperation to develop financing relationships, training, education, market analysis, safety, security, safeguards, and nuclear governance required for a civil nuclear program;
• Require a cabinet-level biennial summit focused on nuclear safety, security, and safeguards, and to enhance cooperative relationships between private industry and government; and
• Establish a Strategic Infrastructure Fund Working Group to determine how to best structure a Fund to finance projects critical to national security.

Risch was joined by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) in introducing the International Nuclear Energy Act.

Idaho is home to the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), the flagship laboratory for civil nuclear energy research and the first place in the world to generate electricity with a nuclear reactor. INL is driving significant progress in new nuclear research by collaborating with industry to demonstrate advanced technologies like small modular reactors, microreactors, and safer, more efficient nuclear fuels. These efforts, made possible through public-private partnerships at INL, will contribute to the nation's energy independence and strengthen U.S. leadership in civil nuclear energy around the world.

Senator Risch has long advocated for domestic nuclear energy production and the commercialization of advanced nuclear technologies. In a Washington Times editorial, Senator Risch underscored the critical role of nuclear energy in powering America's current and future energy needs.

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