What does Preamble of Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Act of 2025 do?

This bill proposes to amend the Atomic Energy Act of 1954. The proposed amendment aims to ensure consultation with State, Tribal, and local governments. It also seeks to require the consideration of State, Tribal, and local concerns. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission would be required to approve post-shutdown decommissioning activities reports.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Act of 2025 do?

This bill is formally titled the Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Act of 2025.

What does POST-SHUTDOWN DECOMMISSIONING ACTIVITIES REPORTS. of Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Act of 2025 do?

This section amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 by adding Section 113, concerning post-shutdown decommissioning activities reports (PSDARs). The term 'affected State' includes the host State of a covered facility and any State within 50 miles of it. A 'covered facility' is a facility of a licensee requiring a PSDAR. The term 'covered material' includes high-level radioactive waste, spent nuclear fuel, transuranic waste, and other nuclear or radioactive waste. Licensees must consult with affected States and tribal governments before submitting a proposed PSDAR or transferring a license. The Commission must solicit public comments for at least 90 days and consider statements of support, conditional support, or nonsupport from the host State. The Commission must determine if a PSDAR provides for the overall protection of human health and the environment and adequate protection to the health and safety of the public.

What does GRANT PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT THE ACTIVITIES OF COMMUNITY ADVISORY of Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Act of 2025 do?

This section establishes grant programs to support community advisory boards (CABs) involved in nuclear power plant decommissioning activities. A short-term grant program is available for decommissioning activities within the first three years after the Act's enactment, benefiting States and Indian Tribes. A long-term grant program is established for decommissioning activities occurring more than three years after enactment, funded by fees collected from licensees submitting post-shutdown decommissioning activities reports (PSDARs). Eligible entities (States and Indian Tribes) can use grant funds to provide subgrants to CABs for expenses like expert consultation, administrative costs, travel, website maintenance, and communications. The Commission must prioritize geographic diversity when distributing short-term grant funds. The Commission is directed to implement best practices for CAB establishment and operation as outlined in a report from the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act. Cost-sharing requirements for CABs are prohibited when activities benefit small, rural, or disadvantaged communities. A total of $12,500,000 is authorized for the short-term grant program from fiscal years 2026 through 2028.

What does ASSISTANCE FOR NUCLEAR HOST COMMUNITIES. of Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Act of 2025 do?

This section modifies the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to provide assistance to nuclear host communities. Section 701(f)(1) is amended to change a date from 2029 to 2034. Section 209(e)(2)(A) is amended to include 'capacity building and economic resilience activities' for communities. Section 204(c) is amended to establish a 100 percent federal share of costs for grants to nuclear host communities that are also small, rural, or disadvantaged. A 'nuclear host community' is defined as having the meaning given in section 209(e)(1). A 'small, rural, or disadvantaged community' is defined as having a population of fewer than 50,000 or being disadvantaged based on geographic, socioeconomic, public health, or environmental hazard criteria.

What does FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR COMMUNITIES WITH STRANDED NUCLEAR of Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Act of 2025 do?

This section establishes a noncompetitive grant program to provide financial assistance to local governments affected by stranded nuclear waste. The program is administered by the Secretary of Energy. To be eligible, a community must be an 'affected community,' defined as a local government containing stranded nuclear waste. An 'eligible civilian nuclear power plant' is one that has been or is in the process of being decommissioned. Grants are calculated at $15 per kilogram of spent nuclear fuel stored at the eligible plant. Each eligible unit of local government may receive one grant per fiscal year. The program is authorized for fiscal years 2026 through 2035. Funds for this program cannot be used to offset funding for other federal programs.

What does ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN HOST COMMUNITIES. of Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Act of 2025 do?

This section establishes 'host community economic recovery accounts' for civilian nuclear power plants undergoing decommissioning. Licensees of covered facilities are required to transfer funds to these accounts, typically 2 percent of the nuclear decommissioning trust balance or other financial assurance. The Secretary of Commerce will administer these accounts and provide grants to host communities for economic development planning or strategies. Grants are available without appropriation or fiscal year limitation. The Secretary must begin the grant process either five years before the facility's scheduled shutdown or upon submission of a certification of permanent cessation of operations. Cost-sharing requirements are prohibited for grants to small, rural, or disadvantaged communities. For facilities already decommissioning at the time of enactment, initial funding transfers are required within one year.

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Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Act of 2025

Last updated: 12/12/2025 · Introduced: 12/11/2025

Author: Becca Balint (D-VT)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill amends the Atomic Energy Act to require consultation with State, Tribal, and local governments regarding nuclear plant decommissioning activities and to consider their concerns.
It establishes grant programs, totaling $12.5 million over three years, to support community advisory boards (CABs) involved in decommissioning, prioritizing geographic diversity and prohibiting cost-sharing for disadvantaged communities.
The bill expands assistance to nuclear host communities through modifications to the Public Works and Economic Development Act, including increased federal funding for small, rural, or disadvantaged communities.
It creates a grant program administered by the Secretary of Energy to provide financial assistance to local governments affected by stranded nuclear waste, calculated at $15 per kilogram of spent nuclear fuel.
The bill establishes 'host community economic recovery accounts,' requiring licensees to transfer funds to support economic development planning in communities hosting decommissioning nuclear power plants, with restrictions on cost-sharing for disadvantaged areas.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 5 more.

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