Congressman Tim Moore Introduces Bipartisan Advancing Research in Nuclear Fuel Recycling Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Tim Moore introduced the Advancing Research in Nuclear Fuel Recycling Act, which would lay the groundwork for turning spent nuclear fuel from a long-term liability into a valuable resource that supports American energy production and national security. This bipartisan legislation is co-led by Congressman Scott Peters (CA-50).

“American innovation has always been our competitive advantage,” said Congressman Moore. “Rather than viewing spent nuclear fuel as a problem, we should be exploring how it can be part of the solution to our nation’s energy and security needs. This bipartisan legislation will help identify opportunities to strengthen America’s nuclear industry and ensure we remain a global leader in energy production.”

"We cannot keep treating spent nuclear fuel as simply a problem to be buried and forgotten,” said Congressman Peters. "With the right investment in research, we can recycle stored nuclear waste and turn our spent fuel into a resource that strengthens our economy, creates good-paying jobs, and secures our nuclear energy grid. The Advancing Research in Nuclear Fuel Recycling Act is the bipartisan blueprint we need to make that a reality, and ensure America leads on nuclear innovation.”

Specifically, this legislation will require the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to conduct a comprehensive study on the feasibility of recycling spent nuclear fuel, including an analysis of the costs, benefits, and risks of various recycling technologies.

The study will also evaluate opportunities to extract valuable isotopes for medical and industrial applications, assess potential approaches for future recycling sites, and provide recommendations to address barriers to the commercial deployment of nuclear fuel recycling technologies.

This legislation was also introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM).

Sen. Cruz said, “Spent nuclear fuel has the potential to dramatically increase America’s energy, economic, and national security. Domestic recycling can reduce the space we need for spent nuclear fuel, enhance energy independence, reduce our dependence on imports, and broaden the supply of rare elements and isotopes used in medicine and advanced technologies. Recycling solutions will also reduce the burden on individual states from nuclear waste accumulation and accelerate progress on nuclear energy, which is our nation’s cleanest baseload energy source. I’m proud to work with Sen. Heinrich on this legislation, and I urge my colleagues in the Senate to pass this bill.”

Read the full text of the bill HERE.