MORE American Fuel Act of 2026
Mark Kelly (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗
- What it does
- The bill would change federal nuclear licensing law so that companies could begin constructing uranium enrichment facilities before the Nuclear Regulatory Commission issues an operating license, as long as construction starts after the agency dockets the application, follows all applicable federal rules, is done entirely at the company's financial risk, and the company gives written notice at least 15 days before starting work to the governor, local governments, and affected tribal governments. It would also replace the current mandatory single adjudicatory hearing on construction with a hearing granted only on request from a person whose interests may be affected, and would direct the Commission to update its regulations within 180 days of enactment, with possible exemptions for pending applications. This bill lets uranium enrichment companies, classified under basic chemical manufacturing, begin building enrichment facilities before their operating license is granted, in exchange for certifying at least 15 days advance notice to governors, local governments, and Tribes and bearing all financial risk if the license is denied.
- Where it stands
- The Senate passed S. 5249 with an amendment by unanimous consent on September 30, 2026, after its Committee on Environment and Public Works took it up at a markup on September 16, 2026, voted to report it, and placed it on the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders (Calendar No. 621). The bill is no longer before the Senate; it is pending in the House, where it was held at the desk as of October 5, 2026.