WASHINGTON - Yesterday, Representatives Byron Donalds (R-FL) and James Clyburn (D-SC) introduced the bipartisan International Nuclear Energy Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation is the companion bill to Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Jim Risch's (R-ID) International Nuclear Energy Act in the U.S. Senate, and facilitates the development of a whole-of-government strategy for nuclear cooperation and nuclear exports. The International Nuclear Energy Act is also the ninth bill of the 2023-24 Donalds Nuclear Energy Package.

"As a Vice-Chair of the Advanced Nuclear Caucus and as a strong nuclear energy proponent, I am proud to champion the International Nuclear Energy Act alongside Assistant House Democratic Leader Clyburn as the ninth bill of my 2023-24 Nuclear Energy Package," said Congressman Donalds. "The simple reality is that nuclear energy is the cleanest and greenest option in America's energy arsenal, and there is growing bipartisan support for its utilization. Now more than ever, it is time for our country to embrace a whole-of-government strategy for nuclear cooperation and nuclear exports."  

“If we are going to meet our global climate goals and move closer towards a clean energy future, not only should we invest in nuclear here at home, but we must also create markets abroad for this carbon-free energy source,” said Congressman Clyburn. “Maintaining U.S. global leadership in nuclear technology will bolster our ability to respond to the climate crisis and serve as a check on the influence of China and Russia.”

“Congress has demonstrated bipartisan support in passing legislation to assist the U.S. advanced civil nuclear industry over the past several years. Now, the Executive Office of the President must take the lead in coordinating a collaborative interagency effort to ensure those congressional efforts ultimately succeed, which is why the United States Nuclear Industry Council applauds Representative Donalds for introducing the International Nuclear Energy Act in the House of Representatives. As the former head of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, I worked directly with many of the departments and independent agencies outlined in this legislation to help promote U.S. technology solutions overseas. But having an Assistant to the President in the White House solely focused on U.S. civil nuclear exports would supercharge our ability to compete more effectively against Chinese and Russian nuclear technology across the world, as well as help us build relationships in new markets that could last for the next one-hundred years,” said Todd Abrajano, President and CEO, United States Nuclear Industry Council.

“While the United States remains the foremost nuclear power in the world, from our power plants to our nuclear navy, developing countries have more recently looked to Russia and China for their new nuclear needs.  INEA wisely puts new tools in Team USA’s tool belt to support American technologies racing to the global marketplace to compete,” said Jeremy Harrell, Chief Strategy Officer, ClearPath Action. “Investing in our domestic supply chain and fostering export opportunities abroad will increase the energy security of our allies and create jobs here at home.”

“On behalf of America’s nuclear professional community, we applaud the introduction of the bipartisan International Nuclear Energy Act.  This legislation seeks to counter the growing influence of Russia and China in the global nuclear export market. Russia’s weaponization of energy during its invasion of Ukraine and China’s saber-rattling over Taiwan underscore the importance of establishing a national strategy for America’s nuclear energy exports. By coordinating on nuclear energy exports, America’s private and public sectors can work together to safeguard our clean energy security. The International Nuclear Energy Act would help streamline advanced nuclear exports to overseas markets, create high-paying jobs here at home, and reestablish U.S. leadership in nuclear science and technology," said Craig Piercy, CEO and Executive Director, American Nuclear Society (ANS).  

“The global conversation around energy has changed dramatically over the past year. Governments around the world are recognizing the vital role nuclear carbon-free energy will play in achieving not only climate goals but allowing for greater energy and national security.  We have already seen countries throughout the world take steps to extend or grow their commercial nuclear generation. The International Nuclear Energy Act will advance the deployment of U.S. nuclear energy technologies to partner nations, generating American jobs and extending U.S. influence in nuclear safety, nonproliferation and security. We commend Representatives Clyburn and Donalds for introducing this critical legislation in the House that will help maintain U.S. global leadership in commercial nuclear technology,” said Maria Korsnick, President and CEO, Nuclear Energy Institute.

“Authoritarian states like Russia and China view civil nuclear exports as more than revenue. They see them as a tool to expand their spheres of influence. America’s ability to compete in nuclear export markets is not just in our commercial interest but also a national security imperative. The International Nuclear Energy Act supports a whole-of-government approach that puts American industry in a position to truly compete against state-owned nuclear companies. This is good for countries that want clean, reliable, and secure firm power and industrial heat and energy sovereignty. It’s just as good for jobs and the security of the United States,” said Josh Freed, Senior Vice President, Third Way’s Climate and Energy Program.

Background: 

This bill facilitates the development of a whole-of-government strategy for nuclear cooperation and nuclear exports.

In other words, this legislation will develop a framework to coordinate civil nuclear exports, establish nuclear financing relationships, promote regulatory harmonization, standardize nuclear licensing framework, and enhance safeguards and security.

The International Nuclear Energy Act is the ninth bill of the 2023-24 Donalds Nuclear Energy Package:

• H.R. 1006 – NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) Survey Act
• H.R. 1007 – Nuclear Assistance for America's Small Businesses Act
• H.R. 1009 – National Strategy to Utilize Microreactors for Natural Disaster Response Efforts Act
• H.Con.Res. 26 – National Nuclear Commitment Act
• H.Res. 124 – Pro-Nuclear Resolution
• H.R. 2462 – Protect American Energy From China Act
• H.R. 2487 – Rationalize Green Energy Act
• H.R. 2488 – Advanced Nuclear is Green Act
• H.R. 2938 – International Nuclear Energy Act

More:

Read the Donalds-Clyburn House Version of the International Nuclear Energy Act in its entirety HERE.

Read the Manchin-Risch Senate Version of the International Nuclear Energy Act in its entirety HERE.