Senators Coons, Budd introduce bipartisan legislation to heighten worldwide nuclear energy cooperation

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Ted Budd (R-N.C.) introduced the Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology (FIRST) Act to codify the U.S. State Department's FIRST program advocating for the responsible deployment of civil nuclear energy around the world.

"Nuclear energy is a source of clean and abundant power, and its growth in the U.S. and around the world will lower costs for consumers and combat climate change," said Senator Coons. "Right now, too many nations that want to embrace nuclear power need to buy Chinese and Russian technology at huge cost, trapping them in debt. The United States should offer an alternative that keeps us on the cutting edge, strengthens our relationships around the world and keeps Americans safe."

"The responsible development of civil nuclear energy, on an international scale, contributes to U.S. national security and bolsters our economy. The FIRST program has been a productive way for our nation to partner with good-faith actors who are building their nuclear arsenals, and continuing to leverage these public and private partnerships will help us advance our own energy dominance. Since North Carolina is a leader in next-generation nuclear technology, I am proud to partner with Senator Coons to bring this bipartisan solution forward and codify this program that will expand markets for our great innovators into law," said Senator Budd.

Launched in 2019, the FIRST program has worked to leverage U.S. public-private partnerships and expand our nuclear energy programs to bolster the United States' position as a nuclear energy industry leader with partner countries. Currently, the State Department's FIRST program partners with over 50 countries that are working towards exploring civil nuclear energy solutions and looking to achieve energy security through small modular reactors. The program also helps establish sustainable financial partnerships that support reactor financing to avoid debt-trap influence. This bill will solidify the goals of the FIRST program as a priority for the Department of State to build a better, safer, and cleaner infrastructure for nuclear energy.

The FIRST ACT would:

• Promote responsible deployment of civil nuclear energy internationally
• Advocate bilateral and multilateral diplomatic engagements and forums for civil nuclear energy projects
• Engage in diplomacy with partner governments prioritizing the highest safety, security, and nonproliferation standards
• Provide consultation to partner countries regarding best practices of licensing, legal, and regulatory frameworks
• Supply early-stage commercial project development support critical to launching United States commercial civil nuclear projects abroad
• Cooperate with partner countries in the areas of training programs, technical resource sharing, and potential coordination of codes and standards

In addition to Senators Coons and Budd, the bill is also cosponsored by U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.).

The FIRST Act is supported by the following organizations: NEI, ClearPath, BTI, and Third Way.

"A nuclear reactor is a hundred-year partnership, and America is ready to lead," said ClearPath Action CEO Jeremy Harrell."The FIRST Act opens markets across allied nations, building the foundation for responsible reactor deployment and driving demand for American technology. We build the best reactors in the world, and this bill ensures that America, not China, writes the rules for the next generation of global nuclear deployment."

"The Breakthrough Institute commends Senators Budd and Coons for introducing the FIRST Act," said Dr. Adam Stein, director, nuclear energy innovation at the Breakthrough Institute. "As countries around the world make nuclear infrastructure decisions, the United States needs to be a durable, credible partner. The FIRST program has operated since 2021 through executive discretion alone. Placing FIRST in statute gives partner governments the certainty they need to choose American nuclear technology and signals that the United States is serious about competing in this market for the long term. It also codifies FIRST as an instrument of commercial statecraft as much as nonproliferation, mandating engagement on technology partnerships and nonproliferation equally. Strengthening U.S. leadership in nuclear energy deployment abroad and supporting the safe, secure expansion of nuclear power globally are a natural extension of the American nuclear industry's growth, and should be prioritized for energy security, clean energy goals, and national security alike. This legislation is a meaningful step in advancing American competitiveness in civil nuclear exports."

"When the US partners with another country on nuclear energy exports, it represents a relationship that will last 100 years with huge economic and security commitments. Our international competitors are trying to secure those partnerships for themselves. In the face of that pressure, we commend Senator Coons and Senator Budd for introducing the FIRST Act. By strengthening the FIRST program, their legislation would ensure that American nuclear engagement is proactive, responsible, and durable,"said Josh Freed, senior vice president for climate and energy, Third Way.

Read the full text of the bill here.

Read a one-pager of the bill here.