Sens. Kelly and Lummis Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Modernize Domestic Nuclear Fuel Supply

Gila Herald Staff Reports

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Thursday, U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at bolstering domestic nuclear fuel production and reducing America’s reliance on foreign energy suppliers.

The Modernizing Outdated Regulations to Expand American Fuel (MORE American Fuel) Act of 2026 seeks to streamline the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) licensing process for uranium enrichment facilities while maintaining safety standards and environmental reviews.

“Nuclear power is one of the most reliable sources of electricity, and we shouldn’t depend on foreign countries for the fuel that keeps our reactors running,” said Kelly in a press statement. “By modernizing outdated regulations, we can strengthen our energy security, create good-paying jobs, and maintain the strong safety and environmental protections Americans expect.”

Addressing Foreign Dependence

Nuclear energy supplies approximately 18% of electricity in the United States. However, domestic production of enriched uranium has struggled to keep pace with demand. In 2024, U.S. nuclear operators relied on foreign sources for roughly 80% of their enriched uranium, with approximately 20% imported from Russia.

With a federal ban on Russian uranium imports set to take full effect by 2028, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are pressing for expanded domestic enrichment capacity.

“Building a foundation for domestic uranium enrichment is crucial for Wyoming’s job and energy security,” Senator Lummis stated. “As the Russian uranium ban looms, there is no better time for the United States to build its own enrichment capacity than right now.”

Key Legislation Provisions

The NRC’s existing regulatory framework for uranium enrichment facilities has historically been more complex than rules for other fuel cycle operations. The MORE American Fuel Act targets these regulatory hurdles through several specific provisions:

• Pre-License Construction: Allows applicants to begin facility construction at their own financial risk once the NRC dockets their application, rather than waiting for full license approval.
• Streamlined Hearing Process: Eliminates mandatory administrative hearings when no outside parties seek to participate, while preserving the public’s right to request hearings on operating licenses.
• Intergovernmental Notice: Mandates advance written notification to state, local, and Tribal governments prior to the start of pre-license construction.
• Environmental Protections: Reaffirms that complete reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) must take place before any uranium can be enriched or stored on-site.
• Retained Regulatory Authority: Preserves the NRC’s full authority to review, approve, deny, condition, inspect, and oversee facility operations.

Broader Nuclear Modernization Strategy

The proposal stems from bipartisan work led by Senator Kelly in May during a hearing of the Senate EPW Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate, and Nuclear Innovation and Safety, where he serves as Ranking Member.

The bill joins several other nuclear-focused legislative efforts Kelly has backed, including the Legacy Mine Cleanup Act, which targeted abandoned uranium mines on Tribal lands, the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act, and the Build Nuclear with Local Materials Act.

Industry and Policy Support

The legislation has drawn support from various energy policy groups and nuclear sector organizations, including the Clean Air Task Force, Third Way, ClearPath Action, the Breakthrough Institute, the Nuclear Innovation Alliance, the Nuclear Energy Institute, General Matter, and Orano USA.

Industry representatives noted that allowing developers to proceed with construction while licensing reviews are underway will eliminate project sequencing bottlenecks, helping accelerate domestic production timelines as energy demand continues to grow.