Kelly, Lummis, Donalds Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Cut Nuclear Construction Costs and Speed Up New Energy Projects

Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), alongside Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL-19), introduced bipartisan legislation to help build new nuclear power plants faster and cheaper in the United States. The Build Nuclear with Local Materials Actwould direct the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to issue a rulemaking allowing commercial-grade concrete and steel to be used in non-safety-related structures of nuclear power plants.

"We need more reliable, affordable power to keep up with growing demand in Arizona and across the country, but outdated rules about building materials drive up costs and slow down construction for nuclear plants," said Sen. Kelly. "With this commonsense solution, we can build clean nuclear power plants faster and cheaper while keeping the same strong safety standards that protect Arizona families."

"As nuclear technology evolves, our regulations should evolve with it," said Sen. Lummis. "Requiring nuclear-grade materials in parts of a plant that have nothing to do with safety drives up costs and locks out local construction crews who are more than capable of doing the job. This legislation fixes that by requiring the NRC to allow commercial-grade concrete and steel where it's safe to do so. I'm pleased to work with Senator Kelly and Congressman Donalds to get this done. The result is simple: lower costs, more local jobs, and zero compromise on safety."

"Energy security is national and economic security for the United States. As our energy demands continue to grow, it is essential that nuclear energy is a viable source of base load power. We must take a hard look at outdated and burdensome regulations and make practical, common-sense reforms," said Congressman Donalds."I am proud to work alongside Senator Lummis to introduce the Build Nuclear with Local Labor Act to reduce construction and compliance costs for nuclear reactors, without sacrificing safety."

Background:

The Build Nuclear with Local Materials Act builds on a precedent the NRC already established for TerraPower's Natrium reactor in Kemmerer, Wyoming, where the agency determined that commercial-grade materials could be safely used in non-safety areas of the plant. Current NRC requirements apply nuclear-grade standards broadly to both safety and non-safety structures- a one-size-fits-all approach that drives up costs and extends timelines.

Nuclear-grade concrete and steel are significantly more time- and cost-intensive than standard materials. Foundations can require roughly double the pouring time, while superstructures take up to 50% longer, driving up both costs and project timelines. Concrete makes up ~79.5% of overall materials used in nuclear power plant construction.^[1] Allowing commercial-grade materials in appropriate areas could reduce construction time and costs by an estimated 28%.

The Build Nuclear with Local Materials Act does not eliminate nuclear-grade standards-it directs the NRC to identify where commercial-grade materials can be safely used while fully preserving the safety and integrity of nuclear power plants.

Read the full bill here.