Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Act of 2025 | ChamberLight
Bills · HR 6613
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 6613Energy
Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Act of 2025
INTRO DEC 11· LAST ACTION DEC 12
READING
33MIN
COSPONSORS
0
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
This bill matters because it aims to increase local control and transparency over the decommissioning of nuclear power plants, which are complex and long-term processes involving hazardous materials like spent nuclear fuel. Currently, communities often feel left out of decisions that directly impact their health, safety, and economic future when a plant closes. If this bill becomes law, it would empower local voices, ensuring that concerns about radioactive waste storage, environmental remediation, and economic impacts are considered by plant operators and federal regulators before final decisions are made.
Without this bill, the current process for decommissioning might continue with less direct involvement from affected communities and local governments, potentially leading to plans that don't fully address specific local needs or concerns. By establishing formal consultation, public participation, and NRC approval requirements, the bill seeks to create a more inclusive and potentially safer framework for managing the retirement of nuclear facilities, which can span decades.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Requires nuclear plant operators (licensees) to consult with state, Tribal, and local governments located near a nuclear facility before submitting post-shutdown decommissioning activity reports (PSDARs) or license transfer applications to the NRC.
This ensures that local communities and their elected representatives have a formal voice early in the process of nuclear plant cleanup and ownership changes.
PROVISION 02
Mandates public availability of proposed decommissioning plans and license transfer applications, and requires the NRC to solicit public comments for at least 90 days and hold at least two public meetings in the host state.
This provision increases transparency and allows the broader public to review plans and provide feedback on crucial decisions affecting their environment and safety.
PROVISION 03
Establishes a formal process for the host state to submit a statement of support, conditional support, or nonsupport for proposed decommissioning plans or license transfers to the NRC.
This gives host states a stronger, official mechanism to convey their position to federal regulators, influencing the NRC's final decision.
PROVISION 04
Requires the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to approve post-shutdown decommissioning activity reports and license transfers, considering all input received from consultations, public comments, and host state positions.
This shifts the NRC's role from primarily reviewing to actively approving, giving greater weight to community and state concerns in the final decision.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
COMMITTEE
DEC 11
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
DEC 11
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
INTROREFERRAL
DEC 11
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
This bill matters because it aims to increase local control and transparency over the decommissioning of nuclear power plants, which are complex and long-term processes involving hazardous materials like spent nuclear fuel. Currently, communities often feel left out of decisions that directly impact their health, safety, and economic future when a plant closes. If this bill becomes law, it would empower local voices, ensuring that concerns about radioactive waste storage, environmental remediation, and economic impacts are considered by plant operators and federal regulators before final decisions are made.
Without this bill, the current process for decommissioning might continue with less direct involvement from affected communities and local governments, potentially leading to plans that don't fully address specific local needs or concerns. By establishing formal consultation, public participation, and NRC approval requirements, the bill seeks to create a more inclusive and potentially safer framework for managing the retirement of nuclear facilities, which can span decades.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Requires nuclear plant operators (licensees) to consult with state, Tribal, and local governments located near a nuclear facility before submitting post-shutdown decommissioning activity reports (PSDARs) or license transfer applications to the NRC.
This ensures that local communities and their elected representatives have a formal voice early in the process of nuclear plant cleanup and ownership changes.
high
Mandates public availability of proposed decommissioning plans and license transfer applications, and requires the NRC to solicit public comments for at least 90 days and hold at least two public meetings in the host state.
This provision increases transparency and allows the broader public to review plans and provide feedback on crucial decisions affecting their environment and safety.
med
Establishes a formal process for the host state to submit a statement of support, conditional support, or nonsupport for proposed decommissioning plans or license transfers to the NRC.
This gives host states a stronger, official mechanism to convey their position to federal regulators, influencing the NRC's final decision.
high
Requires the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to approve post-shutdown decommissioning activity reports and license transfers, considering all input received from consultations, public comments, and host state positions.
This shifts the NRC's role from primarily reviewing to actively approving, giving greater weight to community and state concerns in the final decision.
Not less than 90 days beginning on the date of submission or docketing.
Period for public comments regarding proposed covered PSDAR or notice of proposed license transfer
Not later than 60 days after the date of receipt of a proposed covered PSDAR or the date on which the Commission dockets an application for transfer of a license.
NRC to notify the host State of the opportunity to file a statement of support, conditional support, or nonsupport
By the date that is 60 days after the date on which the host State receives the notification from the NRC.
Host State to file a statement of support, conditional support, or nonsupport with the Commission
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Atomic Energy Act of 1954
The foundational U.S. law that established the civilian nuclear power industry and created the framework for nuclear safety, security, and licensing.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
The independent agency of the U.S. government responsible for protecting public health and safety related to nuclear energy, including licensing and regulating nuclear power plants and other uses of nuclear materials.
Decommissioning
The process of safely removing a nuclear facility from service and reducing residual radioactivity to levels that permit release of the property for unrestricted use and termination of the license.
A detailed report submitted by a nuclear plant operator to the NRC outlining their plans for dismantling the plant and managing radioactive materials after it permanently stops operating.
Licensee
The entity or company that holds a license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to operate a nuclear facility.
Affected State
The state where a nuclear facility is located (host state) and any other state within 50 miles of that facility.
ACTION TIMELINE
4 EVENTS
DEC 12, 25
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
COMMITTEE
DEC 11, 25
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
DEC 11, 25
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
INTROREFERRAL
DEC 11, 25
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
